DepEd-Cagayan Valley office on lockdown

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd)-Cagayan Valley regional office was placed on lockdown starting on Monday after an official and two employees tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

DepEd regional director Benjamin Paragas said the lockdown until Friday would pave the way for disinfection of their office.

The infected official was exposed to two employees who had earlier contracted the virus.

The schools division offices in the cities of Ilagan and Cauayan in Isabela, which were visited by the DepEd official, were disinfected last week.

Three employees of the schools division office in this city who were exposed to their driver were also infected.

As this developed, Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba said nine of 45 students applying for admission at a medical school in the province tested positive for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the municipal hall in Cabatuan, Isabela was locked down after a councilor and four municipal government employees contracted the virus.

Mayor Charlton Uy said he was among those who underwent swab testing and isolation after he was exposed to Councilor Jasmin Miano.

In Pangasinan, three women aged 81, 85 and 89, residents of Rosales, San Carlos City and San Jacinto, respectively, are among the new cases.

Three girls aged 14, 15 and 16 and an 11-year-old boy are also among those who recently tested positive for COVID-19 in the province.