273 villages in Ilocos Sur declared ‘critical zones’ due to COVID-19 spike

Usually teeming with tourists, the famous Calle Crisologo in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, is almost empty due to the stricter COVID-19 curbs. The city is under an extended general community quarantine. (Photo courtesy of Vigan City government)

LAOAG CITY—The surge in COVID-19 infections has prompted health authorities to place the majority of the areas in Ilocos Sur province under an “escalated quarantine status.”

The total number of active COVID-19 cases in the province reached 1,150 on Monday, the highest that the province had recorded since the pandemic began in 2020.

On July 9 alone, 126 cases were added to the COVID-19 tally of Ilocos Sur.

At least 273 barangays have been declared “critical zones,” said Dr. Trina Talaga, provincial hospital chief, during a radio interview.

Talaga said nine Ilocos Sur towns are under modified enhanced community quarantine, the second most restrictive quarantine, while 13 other towns and cities are under the less restrictive general community quarantine.

Ilocos Sur’s COVID-19 task force had attributed the spike to the practice of allowing asymptomatic patients to undergo home isolation, as well as infections at the workplace, said Talaga.

Despite strict protocols at the borders, the infection upsurge could also be due to the unrestricted movement of people, she said.

At least five of the 20 COVID-19 isolation facilities in the province were in a “critical level,” according to the latest data from the Department of Health.

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