Worker returning from Tubbataha Reefs is latest COVID-19 case in Puerto Princesa

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — A 47-year-old male resident from the city, who was reportedly deployed for work in Tubbataha Reefs and Natural Park in the remote island town of Cagayancillo in Palawan province is Puerto Princesa’s latest confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case.

Dr. Dean Palanca, commander of the Incident Management Team (IMT) here, said in a statement issued by the City Information Office (CIO) on Wednesday that the patient is a resident of Barangay San Miguel of this city, who arrived on Dec. 31, 2020.

The patient arrived aboard a boat from Cagayancillo, a jumpoff point for the globally renowned diving spot, located around 150 kilometers southeast of Puerto Princesa.

The island town, which has a population of 6,275 as of the 2015 census, has recorded 35 COVID-19 cases as of November last year but all had recovered, based on the latest data from health authorities. Tourists are still not allowed on the island and in Tubbataha Reefs.

The Tubbataha Management Office has yet to issue a statement when asked to comment on the protocols in mitigating the spread of the virus within the island town.

Puerto Princesa, on the other hand, has now recorded a total of 157 COVID-19 infections, with 17 active cases, 139 recoveries, and one fatality.

LZB

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