LA TRINIDAD, Benguet(PIA) — The provincial government of Benguet strengthens restrictions following the detection of the more contagious Delta variant of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 in the province.
The provincial government of Benguet on Saturday (August 28) .reported the detection of four COVID-19 Delta variant confirmed cases in the province as confirmed by the Departmwnt of Health -Cordillera.
Two of the Delta variant cases came from La Trinidad, and one each from Buguias and Tuba.
The Benguet PLGU said the case from Buguias, a 34 year old male and one from La Trinidad , a 32 year old male, are both still recovering while the case in Tuba already recovered.
Unfortunately, the other case in La Trinidad died,. He was a 56 year old male who was admitted to a local hospital on August 7, 2021 and was reported dead last August 12.
Aggressive contact tracing of the close contacts of the identified Delta variant cases is being conducted.
Governor Melchor Diclas immediately called the Health Cluster of the Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force for COVID-19 for the strengthening of restrictions.
Among the restrictions to prevent the further spread of the virus include individuals who are below 15 years old, over 65 years old, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidity, or other health risks, and pregnant women are strictly not allowed to go out of their residences per guidelines. Non-essential travels are highly discouraged.
Police personnel at the border checkpoints will continue to strictly implement the “no negative RT-PCR test or proof of being fully-vaccinated, no entry” policy for non-Benguet residents.
The governor also continues to remind the public to strictly adhere to the minimum public health standards and to avoid going out if not necessary.
The reiteration of the restrictions is also due to the doubling of the COVID-19 cases in the province as reported by the Provincial Health Office and the bed capacity of the hospitals is now at 85 percent as reported by the DOH-CAR.
As of August 30, Benguet already recorded 11,135 COVID-19 confirmed cases with 10,133 recoveries, 706 active cases and 296 deaths.
Diclas is convening a meeting of the Provincial Inter Agency Council on September 1 to further discuss the COVID-19 situation and response. to address the increasing number of cases and the Delta variant. **JDP/RMC= PIA-CAR
