Batanes reports first COVID-19 case

Batanes is no longer COVID-free after it reported its first case of COVID-19, Tuesday, September 29.

“We regret to inform the public that the one (1) Locally Stranded Individual (LSI) who arrived last September 22 via Philippine Air Force (PAF) has tested POSITIVE of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) yesterday, September 28, 2020,” Provincial Information Desk said in a statement.

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“Announcements will be released later today for further developments. In the meantime, we remind everyone to continuously observe minimum public health standards such as wearing of face masks and face shields, observe physical distancing, and practice hygiene,” it added.

For more than six months, Batanes remained COVID-19 free because of its early preventive measures, heightened vigilance, strict protocols, and the “Bayanihan” spirit among its people.

Last month Shai Lagardereported on “Stand for Truth” that Batanes braced itself for COVID-19 as early as January according to its governor Marilou Cayco.

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“Bago pa man mag-deklara ng community quarantine ang NCR, maaga nang nagkaroon ng iba’t ibang pagpupulong ang task force. Maaga ring in-activate ang mga barangay health emergency response teams. Maaga rin kaming nagsara,” she said.

“January pa lamang, nagtatag na ang probinsya ng Batanes ng COVID-19 monitoring and screening team sa Basco airport,” she added.

The governor also said that local authorities ensure returning residents’ would strictly follow the mandatory 14-day quarantine.

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Batanes reports first COVID-19 case

Locally stranded individuals (LSI) were sent to a hotel stay to finish their quarantine period.

The hotel accommodation comes with healthy food and rooms with a beautiful view to help fight boredom, the report said.

“Sa airport, ‘yung protocols nila do’n, impressive naman. Makikita mo talaga na hindi dahil COVID-free kami, puchu-puchu lang,” LSI Maria Claire Gulaga said.

Cayco added the Batanes government decided to put people’s health before the economy.

“Maraming mawawalan ng trabaho pag sinara mo ‘yan. Maraming negosyo: ‘yung may mga hotels, may restaurant, fishermen, souvenir items… Pero inisip namin, ekonomiya ba o kalusugan?” she said.

“Mas madaling tulungan ang nawalan ng trabaho o negosyo kaysa mawalan ng buhay. Ang pera ay kikitain pero pag nawalan ng buhay, hindi mo na yan maibabalik,” she added.