More COVID-19 cases traced to drinking spree

MANILA, Philippines — Ten more people who have been exposed to those who attended a drinking binge in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan two weeks ago tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19, the city health office reported yesterday.

Among the new cases are a seven-year-old girl and a grocery attendant.

On Wednesday, nine members of a family were infected.Eight of their relatives had earlier contracted the virus.

All the patients were exposed to those who attended the drinking binge.

Mayor Jefferson Soriano extended the lockdown in Barangay Linao West after more confirmed cases were recorded.

A liquor ban remains in effect in the city.

Courts closed

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court (SC) reported that three courts in Biñan City, Laguna have been closed for 14 days after an employee was infected.

Laguna Regional Trial Court Branches 153, 154 and 155 are closed from Sept. 24 to Oct. 8, according to a memorandum signed by Judge Teodoro Solis.

“Contact tracing should be done to determine who may have gotten in close contact with the concerned staff outside the office,” the memorandum read.

The SC said the affected courts would be disinfected.

Concerned judges and their staff were required to undergo swab testing.

The high court said hearings through videoconferencing are allowed, adding that affected courts are still accessible through their hotline and email address.

Police station locked down

In Benguet, a police station in Kibungan town and its vicinity was locked down on Friday after a resident who tested positive for the virus was traced to have interacted with a police officer.

Mayor Cesar Molitas said disinfection of the police station and contact tracing would be conducted during the lockdown.

Molitas called on those who were exposed to the patient to go on self-quarantine for 14 days.

In Pangasinan, four provincial capitol employees and three police officers contracted the virus, test results released on Friday showed.

Gov. Amado Espino tested negative for the virus even though the governor’s office was among the affected offices.

Pangasinan had 825 confirmed cases as of Friday.