Batanes logs first COVID-19 death

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines — After more than a year since the pandemic started, the province of Batanes recorded its first COVID death on Sunday.

The fatality was a 70-year-old man from Basco, who was first diagnosed with acute respiratory failure secondary to pneumonia.

Batanes logged its first COVID case in September last year or eight months after the virus entered the country. It had only three recorded cases in 2020.

From 14 cases in January to August this year, the number of infections increased after the onslaught of Typhoon Kiko on Sept. 12.

Last week, Batanes was placed under enhanced community quarantine from Sept. 20 until Oct. 4.