A TWO-DAY old baby succumbed to Covid-19 infections this week, as cases in the Summer Capital continue to mount.
Dr. Donna Tubera-Panes of the Baguio City Health Services Office (CHSO) confirmed the newborn was positively diagnosed for the deadly virus. The parents and the entire medical staff assisting in the delivery have been isolated and being tested.
On Thursday, August 13, 2020, the city logged 25 new Covid-19 cases, so far the highest in a day. Mayor Benjamin Magalong assured contact tracing teams are on the double to expedite contact identification, testing, isolation, quarantine and medical protocols.
Panes disclosed that the city is expecting at least six cases in a day as testing is being ramped up by the City.
“We are testing more and testing the right people to detect the right people, this is not random. They are seen in clusters, we can predict them, we can prevent these cases,” said Panes.
Panes said in March that most of the overseas Filipino workers tested positive for the virus and residents with travel history.
In the month of July, ramped-up testing was done that allowed more people from specific sectors to be diagnosed.
“We were able to identify people and put them in quarantine facilities so they cannot spread the virus. We can focus action at this point and formulate strategies to use resources wisely,” Panes said.
He added the cases are not randomly located but are in clusters and can be found in 15 barangays, which has contributed to 50 percent of total confirmed cases.
As of Friday, August 14, lockdown orders have been implemented in 15 areas: Purok 1, Alfonso Tabora Barangay; Purok 3, Camp 8 Barangay; Bay-asen Compound, Guisad Central Barangay; Purok 1, Holyghost Extension Barangay; Dagohoy Street, Kagitingan Barangay; Purok 7, Kias Barangay, Baja Compound, Purok Pidawan, Loakan Proper Barangay; Purok 6, Padre Burgos Barangay; Block 24 - 34, Pinesville, PMA - Fort Del Pilar Barangay; Purok 4 and 5, Pucsusan Barangay; Purok 1, Scout Barrio Barangay, Purok 1 and 7 Sunnyside View, Fairview Barangay; Purok 7, 14, 14-A, 24 and 27, Irisan Barangay, Purok 3 and 4, Magsaysay Private Road; the entire Pinget Barangay and San Antonio Village.
To augment resources, Magalong has asked for the use and conversion of the Roxas Hall in Teachers Camp into a temporary isolation unit for suspected or probable cases of Covid-19 and confirmed cases with mild symptoms.
The request was approved by the Department of Education, the agency in charge of operations of the Teachers Camp.
Teacher’s camp is currently being used as an offsite facility center quarantine area for arriving/returning overseas Filipino workers.
The building being used has other available floors that can accommodate 95 more people.
This week, the City Council backed the move of Magalong with a resolution designating the Roxas Hall in the camp a Covid-19 isolation unit named “Baguio Teachers Camp Isolation Unit.”
The City previously set up one isolation facility, the former Sto. Niño Hospital, now called the Baguio City Community Isolation Unit (BCCIU), with 90 beds available.
As of Friday afternoon, there has been no summary of cases in the city but based on Thursday's statistics, there are now 214 cases, six deaths and 119 recoveries.
The city is also monitoring 1,234 suspect cases, with 4,454 undergoing 14-day quarantine; 19,505 completed the two-week isolation period.