TWENTY-SEVEN provinces have recorded no new Covid-19 cases for two weeks, the Department of Health (DOH) said, as 14,319 infections were confirmed in the country on Monday.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the Covid-free provinces were recorded from May 11 to 24.
No cases were recorded in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, Abra, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Zambales, Marinduque, Palawan, Catanduanes, Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Misamis Occidental, Compostela Valley, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and Sulu.
Vergeire said that 284 new cases (PH14036-PH14319) of Covid-19 were reported with 74 new recoveries. This brings the total number of recoveries to 3,323.
Meanwhile, five new deaths were recorded. The death toll stood at 873.
Of the new cases, National Capital Region recorded an additional 171 new cases, 70 new cases from Region 7, and 43 new additional cases from different regions.
Batangas folk assured
Meanwhile, the DOH regional director for Calabarzon has allayed the fears of residents of Ibaan town in Batangas that their health safety from Covid-19 may be in peril from an isolation facility set up there.
“I understand your worries, and you have my assurance that Covid-19 will not spread in your area because we will ensure all precautions for monitoring and caring for our countrymen who will be housed in the quarantine and isolation facility in your town. The police and the local government will also help ensure this,” Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo said in Filipino, as he spoke during the turnover and MOA signing ceremony of the Provincial Isolation and Quarantine Facility for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs).
He said the isolation facility is located in Barangay Malainin, which is far from residential areas. “Residents need not be afraid because it is safe and well-equipped,” he added.
The plan for the conversion of the provincial drug rehabilitation center to an isolation facility was met with protests from residents and local government officials fearing for their health and safety.
According to Director Janairo, plans are in motion to establish health facilities in the area to complete the facility, which can also serve residents of nearby barangays in the area.
Janairo aims to have at least one major quarantine facility per province in Calabarzon.
As of May 23, 2020, the Municipality of Ibaan recorded one confirmed case with a total of 1,462 cases in the region.
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