Children among 26 new infections in Baguio; 7th death recorded

FILE PHOTO: Baguio City. VINCENT CABREZA

BAGUIO CITY — Seven children, including a year-old toddler, were among 26 new patients infected with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which were all confirmed on Saturday, setting an unwelcome record for the summer capital.

Saturday also brought Baguio its seventh fatality — a 67-year-old man living along Kennon Road who had other ailments.

The total number of COVID-19 patients in the city has soared to 242, 108 of them active cases. The city information office said 22 of the new cases were individuals who were exposed to other patients.

Aside from the 1-year-old boy, doctors have been treating a 2-year-old boy, two 4-year-old boys, and boys aged 9, 11, 12 years old. The list also includes a 17-year old girl.

Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center has shutdown its maternity ward, and its oncology, radiation and neuroscience units for disinfection, apparently due to the latest spike in transmission. It is the primary facility that detects and treats COVID-19 patients.

To address the escalating infections, the Department of Health has certified the Teachers Camp and the Santo Niño Medical Center as temporary community isolation units with expanded bed capacities. VINCENT CABREZA

CFC