NINETY-SIX active cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) were recorded December 1 in the mining town of Mankayan in Benguet as the province grapples with the continued increase of coronavirus infection.
Mayor Frenzel Ayong said five of the 96 cases confirmed in one day were recorded in Lepanto.
Ayong added that the increase in cases can be attributed to the contact tracing and Covid-19 testing efforts being conducted by the medical team, which is focused on the mining camp.
Over the weekend, the town also received 1,000 Covid-19 testing kits from the Department of Health.
Ayong said the Philex Mining Corporation (PMC) previously shared with the municipal officials and health workers of the town, including the personnel of Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company (LCMC), their best practices in responding to the Covid-19 outbreak in Padcal mine site.
As the municipal, barangay officials and Lepanto officials are doing their part, the chief executive asked the cooperation of the stakeholders of the municipality to follow health protocols.
Ayong said it was on November 10 when the town recorded a confirmed case involving a mine worker of LCMC.
As of Tuesday, December 1, there were 283 active cases in Benguet with a total of 1,772 recoveries recorded and 17 deaths.
Data from the Provincial Government showed La Trinidad has 109 active cases, Mankayan with 98 active cases, followed by Tuba with 35 and Itogon with 24.
Active cases in Mankayan are currently admitted at the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company Hospital, Casuigan Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility in Barangay Sapid, Lepanto Elementary School Isolation Facility, and Lepanto National High School.
Patients are also admitted in Atok District Hospital and Benguet General Hospital, while four remain on home isolation.