National Task Force: Baguio City a ‘model’ in fight vs COVID-19
MANILA, Philippines — The government task force against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has recognized Baguio City for its gains against COVID-19, calling the City of Pines a “model” other local government unit (LGUs) should emulate.
While Luzon—the country’s political and economic center—grapples with the novel coronavirus, no new transmission of the infectious respiratory illness have been recorded in Baguio City for over a week now.
According to retired Gen. Restituto Padilla, National Task Force COVID-19 spokesperson, this is due to the city taking steps that are in line with the government’s national action plan template against the disease that originated from Hubei, China.
“Malaki po ang parte na ginagampanan ng ating mga lokal na pamahalaan dito. May isa na pong nagiging mainam na ehemplo sa ngayon, ito po ay ang Baguio City na pinamumunuan ni Mayor Benji Magalong,” Padilla said in a virtual press briefing.
According to the retired general, Magalong enforced transparency in communication, mass testing, and effective contact tracing in his city that led to the reduced frequency of infection.
“Lahat po ito ay sangayon sa ating National Action Plan template at ninanais po namin na sana ay maintindihan at magawa ng ating mga LGUs sa iba’t-ibang panig ng Luzon, Visayas, at Mindanao,” Padilla added.
To date, Baguio City has 14 confirmed COVID-19 cases, five of which have since recovered.
Currently, as many as 3,870 individuals nationwide tested positive for COVID-19, while 182 died and 96 were able to recover.
A vast majority of the total infection in the country were recorded in Luzon, which has been placed under lockdown until April 30, 2020.
The virus causes mild symptoms such as fever and cough for most people, but experts warned that older adults with preexisting health conditions were more vulnerable to the coronavirus, particularly those aged over 60-years-old.
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