BAGUIO CITY– The Department of Health Center for Health and Development Cordillera (DOH–CAR) reminds the public anew to avoid the 3Cs or Crowded places, Closed Contact settings, and Confined or enclosed spaces, which are risk factors in Coronavirus disease infection.
Karen Lonogan of the DOH–CAR Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit, in the regional Dagyaw 2020 Open Virtual Town meeting, outlined the important role of local government units in looking into the threat of 3Cs in their localities and in enhancing advocacy campaign and social engagement on COVID prevention.
Lonogan reported that Cordillera remains at low risk category but more cases are recorded in areas with high population density and with more movement of people such as the BLISTT (Baguio City, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay) areas where almost 86 percent of the region’s cases were recorded.
For the month of November, clustering of cases are noted in jail, mining communities, department stores, BPOs, health facilities and essential sector, she added.
As of November 24, data of DOH–CAR, there are 5,381 confirmed cases in the region where 410 are active cases. 4,911 have already recovered (91% recovery rate) and there were 60 deaths (1.1 % fatality rate).
For community isolation facilities, there are 50 Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities (TTMFs) established in Cordillera with 1,720 total bed capacity and occupancy rate of 25.99%.
Though the Cordillera remains at low risk and with high recovery rate, low mortality rate and low critical care utilization rate, Lonogan reiterated the health department’s call for discipline and strict adherence to the minimum health standards and safety protocols.
She also reiterated the importance of effective contact tracing, risk–based testing and immediate quarantine and isolation to prevent second transmission. **JDP/CCD-PIACAR
