BENGUET province recorded its highest single-day number of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases and its fourth Covid-19-related death on Thursday, October 1, 2020.

Out of the 29 new confirmed cases, 14 were recorded in Barangay Sinacbat, Bakun, Benguet, followed by 11 residents of La Trinidad, two in Itogon and one each from the towns of Bokod and Tuba.

According to data, new active cases involve symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, with the majority being local transmissions.

The oldest (80 years old) and the youngest (a year old) Covid-19 cases of Benguet are from Sinacbat.

The increase in the number of positive cases in the town prompted Bakun Mayor Bill Raymundo to impose a lockdown in four sitios of Barangay Sinacbat and three sitios of Barangay Bagu.

“There is a need to impose lockdowns within the said areas to effectively conduct contact tracing, disinfection and enforcement of quarantine procedures to contain and prevent the spread of the virus,” he said.

As of October 1, there are 119 active cases in the province, with the majority of active cases coming from La Trinidad.

On Friday, Mayor Romeo Salda said there are 85 active cases in the town. The said patients are admitted to the Benguet General Hospital, Pines City Doctors Hospital, Saint Louis University Hospital and the Provincial Temporary Quarantine Facility located at Wangal Evacuation Center.

Benguet also recorded its fourth Covid-19-related death on Thursday. The patient was from Betag, La Trinidad.

He was reported positive for Covid-19 on September 23 and had critical multi-organ failure.

The third Covid-19-related death in the province was recorded on September 20, involving a 70-year-old male from Pico, La Trinidad who was diabetic and hypertensive.

He stayed in the hospital for more than a week.

Benguet recorded its first Covid-19 death in August that involved a 58-year-old male from Itogon town who had comorbidity.

Its second coronavirus disease-related death was recorded in September involving a male senior citizen, who was referred to Benguet General Hospital for further observations and treatment.

On their way to La Trinidad, the patient showed symptoms of cardiac arrest in Natubleng. He was brought to another hospital for intubation but eventually died.

The senior citizen was swabbed for Covid-19 on September 14 and his positive result was released the next day.

The Provincial Government asked the public to stay vigilant, stay at home and only go outside when necessary.