22 Ilocos barangays under extreme ECQ

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The municipal government of Cabugao in Ilocos Sur has placed its 22 barangays under extreme enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) after COVID cases in the town reached an alarming level.

As of 5 p.m. on Saturday, Cabugao registered 154 active confirmed infections, apart from 11 other cases under close monitoring.

On Friday, the provincial health office informed Mayor Edgardo Cobangbang Jr. about the rising number of COVID cases in the town.

Local health officials also confirmed the existence of Delta and Alpha variants in two barangays.

“With the discovery of the existence of Delta and Alpha variants in the municipality, everybody should expect drastic measures to be taken once the situation gets worse,” Cobangbang said.

Placed under extreme ECQ from Sept. 5 to 19 are the villages of Alinaay, Arnap, Baclig, Bonifacio, Bunglo, Cacadiran, Caellayan, Carusipan, Catucdaan, Cuancabal, Cuantacla, Dacrapan, Dardarat, Margaay, Namruangan, Pug-os, Quezon, Rizal, Sagayaden, Salapasap, Salomague and Turod.

Residents in these villages are prohibited from leaving their homes except for emergency and medical purposes.

Healthcae workers, uniformed personnel such as police officers and firefighters as well as essential workers are allowed to report to work.

The remaining 10 barangays of Cabugao were placed under modified ECQ.

These are the villages of Aragan, Bato, Lipit, Maradodon, Nagsantaan, Nagsincaoan, Pila, Reppaac, Sisim and Turod Patac.

Only one member of each household is allowed to go out to procure or attend to essential goods and activities.

Cobangbang reminded his constituents to always strictly follow health protocols.

Record-high recovery

Meanwhile, the provincial government of Bataan logged a record-high recovery from COVID with 519.

Of the recovered cases, Mariveles logged the highest number with 324, followed by Balanga, 32; Limay, 30; Bagac, 29; Dinalupihan, 26; Pilar, 18; Abucay, 16; Hermosa, 16; Orani, 12; Orion 10, and Samal, six.

The figure brought to 16,068 the total number of patients who recovered from the virus, according to a report issued by the provincial health office on Saturday night.

The report also showed that the province has recorded a total of 20,882 COVID cases after 303 new infections were added to the list.

Of the figure, 40,071 were confirmed active.

The new cases were logged in Dinalupihan with 75; Balanga, 48; Limay, 42; Orani, 36; Hermosa, 25; Mariveles 23; Abucay, 21; Orion, 11; Pilar, nine; Samal, seven; Bagac, four, and Morong with two.

The provincial health office recorded 10 new deaths, bringing the total number of COVID fatalities to 743. – Ric Sapnu