Cordillera records 5 new cases of UK COVID-19 variant

The number of people who tested positive for the UK variant of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Cordillera region has increased by 5, according to the local office of the Department of Health on Monday.

Two of the new cases are in La Trinidad while three are in Bontoc, Mt. Province.

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According to the latest report by the Department of Health-Cordillera on Sunday night, there are 3 total UK COVID-19 variant cases in La Trinidad and 15 in Mt. Province.

According to La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda, an 84-year-old patient died on January 24.

The local government of La Trinidad has passed an ordinance such as the strict implementation of wearing a face shield to prevent the spread of the disease.

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“Apprehending ‘yung walang face mask at face shield because we received ordinance na wearing of face shield should be implemented… May penalty na first offense (P500), second offense (1,500) at third offense (2,500),” said Salda.

According to Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas, they will investigate whether community transmission is already happening because those who tested positive in La Trinidad have no travel history.

“We’ll investigate pa rin para makita natin if it’s local transmission or it’s already a community transmission na hindi na natin nade-detect kasi ganito rin ‘yung nagyayari sa La Trinidad. Actually, wala rin silang contact abroad or might be galing sa Mt. Province, sa Bontoc particularly. May contact ‘yun from abroad,” said Diclas.

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Also read: Boracay to permanently ban fakers of RT-PCR test results

Cordillera records 5 new cases of UK COVID-19 variant

For some residents, the spread of the disease is already causing concern.

“Talagang nakakatakot dahil hindi natin alam kung anong klaseng virus ito. Pero s’yempre, mas nakakatakot naman ‘tong kabuhayan namin ngayon. Sabi nga nila, ‘di ka mamamatay sa COVID, (pero) mamamatay ka sa gutom,” said resident Analyn Oropesa.

So far, the municipalities in Benguet and Baguio have tightened border control due to the UK variant.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the Cordillera region has reached 12,479, of which 1,032 are active cases.

Meanwhile, the Philippines recorded its first UK COVID-19 variant death, an 84-year-old from La Trinidad, Benguet.