CAPAS town Mayor Reynaldo Lopez Catacutan said the municipality has recorded only 60 active cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19), as of November 26, 2020.
The mayor issued the statement in reaction to reports that the town registered a high percentage of coronavirus cases similar to highly-urbanized cities in the country.
"As much as we are surprised to be still included in the list of high-risk areas by Octa research, we understand why it has reflected this way because the data was based on reports from November 17 to 23," Catacutan said.
According to the report released on Wednesday, Davao, Makati, Batangas and Pagadian were at 70 percent level, Lucena at 85 percent, Baguio City at 8.3 percent, others in between four to 6.9 percent, while Capas, at 7.6 percent attack rate on Covid-19, according to the local chief executive.
He clarified that the 128 employees of a bag manufacturing who earlier tested positive for coronavirus had already recovered.
"Previously, there has been an outbreak in D’Luxe Bags Inc. Phils. which marked 128 positive cases but ALL patients have already recovered and there are ZERO D’Luxe related cases as of date," the mayor said.
Catacutan said there are 302 total recorded Covid-19 cases in Capas, with 5 deaths and 237 recoveries.
Of the 60 active cases, 32 patients are from the Training and Doctrine Command Philippine Army located at Barangay Sta. Lucia.
"Whether actual residents of Capas or authorized persons outside residence (Apors), records of these individuals are noted in our local statistics; 10 patients are under home quarantine and are already doing well; 5 individuals for clearance; 3 patients under the care of the Tarlac Provincial Hospital; some of them found positive after the random Mega Swab Mass Testing initiated by the local government unit," Catacutan said.
The local government conducted a swab testing among all frontliners, municipal and barangay officials as well as walk-in residents to determine the actual cases and asymptomatic ones, the official added.
"We are happy about the results because out of 1,784 individuals swabbed, only 32 tested positive. All of whom were subjected to isolation and given proper medical assistance, while most of them have already recovered from the virus," Catacutan said.
The mayor claimed that GMA 7 allegedly made a mistake on November 20, 2020, that there are 211 positive cases in Capas instead of only 19.
"The same was corrected three days ago in 24 Oras through news host, Ivan Mayrina. As far as the LGU and the community is concerned, there is little to no community transmission in Capas except that of (previously) at D’Luxe in Barangay Talaga. Most of the cases now in Capas are APORs and necessary actions are immediately done with respect to DOH (Deparment of Health) Guidelines," Catacutan said.
The mayor appealed to his constituents to continue observing proper hygiene, health protocols and the new normal set up.
"I believe, we have come a long way and we are no longer at the stage to panic. For the past months, we fought the pandemic with our resources, information, bayanihan, active cooperation of our people and with hard work of all frontliners," Catacutan said.