MAYOR Oscar Tetangco, Jr. of Apalit town asked his constituents to remain calm amid the reported death of a resident here due to coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

As of Friday noon, March 27, Tetangco said the local government is still awaiting confirmation from the Department of Health (DOH) regarding the case.

This came after a private medical institution in Angeles City reported on Thursday night that an elderly patient who was transferred from Apalit town has tested positive for Covid-19.

Tetangco said they are in the process of coordinating with the hospital and DOH to validate and gather further information regarding the patient.

“We have yet to confirm the case from proper authorities but regardless of the validation, we are heightening our measures to contain the virus,” said Tetangco during an emergency meeting with village chiefs yFriday morning.

He added that the local government has coordinated with a private hospital in the town who reportedly admitted a person under investigation (PUI).

“I received a report that a patient from Macabebe was admitted in one of our hospitals here but upon validation from them, only one patient who was considered PUI was admitted but was already discharged,” he disclosed.

He assured that all persons and medical staff who had close contacts or have talked to the said patient were all accounted for and advised to undergo self-quarantine.

Amid the situation, Tetangco urged Apaliteños to remain calm as the local government’s inter-agency task force is doing everything to safeguard the constituents.

He said preventive measures such as strict enforcement of checkpoint on boundaries, disinfection of public places, and monitoring of the community is continuously conducted by the local government.

He asked for the cooperation of the public, especially on the implementation of social distancing, to protect each other from the highly-contagious disease.

“Let us continue to be brave in these difficult times and adhere to the prescribed regulations set forth by the inter-agency task force and the local government,” Tetangco said.