By JOSEPH GREGORIO
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Contact tracers are now locating people who interacted in person with Baguio City mayor and the country’s Contact Tracing Czar Benjamin Magalong after he tested positive for the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as the city reports the highest number of new cases.

Magalong, who informed the public of his infection on April 3 thru Facebook, said his RT-PCR test result came out at 4:30 PM, April 2.

“Contact tracing efforts are underway for those whom I have come into close contact with.  I also strongly advise everybody to observe the minimum health standards,” he said.

Magalong said the news came out as a devastating blow for him and his family. He reminded the public of the seriousness of the pandemic and should not take it for granted. The mayor stressed that he does not want anyone to be in this condition as it is emotionally, psychologically and financially difficult for everyone. He also asked for everyone’s cooperation on the strict observance of health protocols.

“However, despite the predicament I am in, please be rest assured that we are still monitoring closely the City’s situation and coordinating to the proper authorities the necessary things to be done,” Magalong said.

As of April 2, the city’s health department listed 227 new cases of infections, the highest so far since the pandemic started. According to the City Health Services Office (CHSO), these were results of tests conducted from March 29 to April 2.

There are 878 active cases out of the 7,816 confirmed infections with 6,808 recoveries. The CHSO also logged another COVID-related death bringing the total to 130.

The Department of Health (DOH) Cordillera recorded more than 535 new cases in the region as of 9:30 PM of April 2, bringing the total cases to 20,902. There are 17, 984 recoveries and 293 Covid-related deaths in the region.

Based on Nordis tally from reports, at least 43 elected town and provincial officials in Northern Luzon tested positive for COVID since the pandemic started. Of this figure, 23 made their identities known while the remaining number were unnamed.

Meanwhile, the Saint Louis University, Inc. (SLU) Hospital of the Sacred Heart in Baguio City will no longer admit COVID 19 patients. The hospital management said that as of April 2, the hospital’s isolation units are now full. There are also COVID19 patients and suspects at the hospital’s emergency and the triage areas waiting for admission. # nordis.net