Baguio COVID-19 cases surge again

BAGUIO CITY , Philippines —  The number of coronavirus disease 2019 cases in this city peaked anew with 72 recorded in the past seven days.

A 41.3 percent increase in the cases was recorded compared to the 51 logged from Sept. 4 to 10.

Baguio recorded an average of 10.29 cases per day this week, up from 7.29 cases the previous week.

There are 118 active cases while 358 have recovered and 11 died.

The increase in the number of confirmed cases was due to intensified testing that Mayor Benjamin Magalong has ordered since August.From 103 on July 29, the number of cases rose to 310 as of Aug. 27.

Magalong reiterated his call to residents to ensure the cleanliness of their homes and surroundings apart from observing health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of the virus.

Market, hospital ward closed

Meanwhile, in Pangasinan, the surgical ward of the Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City will be closed for two weeks after four doctors, including an anesthesiologist, and four nurses were infected.

“Maybe a patient lied about his travel history or medical condition,” hospital director Roland Joseph Mejia said.

Mejia said non-emergency surgery would be deferred pending disinfection of the surgical ward.

In Nueva Vizcaya, the public market in Bayombong was closed for five days after nine stall owners tested positive for the virus on Thursday.

Mayor Ralph Lantion ordered the lockdown, which started on Wednesday, to pave the way for disinfection and mass testing of stall owners.  — Eva Visperas, Raymund Catindig