Batanes tightens curbs amid virus surge

NO ESCAPING VIRUS In this photo taken before the pandemic struck, fishermen in Basco, Batanes, check their boats on the shores of Valugan Bay. The northernmost province of Batanes has largely contained the spread of COVID-19 for more than a year until this week’s outbreak. —EV ESPIRITU

ITBAYAT, Batanes, Philippines — This northernmost province has put up several large isolation tents in covered courts and outside its government-run hospital as it began its two-week stricter quarantine starting Monday due to what local health authorities described as an “unprecedented surge” in COVID-19 cases.

Gov. Marilou Cayco issued an executive order placing the entire province under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the most restrictive classification, until Oct. 4 after 100 cases were registered in the province on Monday alone.

It was the highest single-day tally in the province, which recorded only three cases last year.

As of Monday, the province’s active cases rose to 121 and most of the new infections were recorded in the capital town of Basco, which registered 94 new cases. The other active cases were logged in the towns of Uyugan (10), Itbayat (6), Mahatao (6), Sabtang (4) and Ivana (1).

Community transmission

The remote island province recorded its first COVID-19 case, a returning resident stranded in Laguna province when lockdowns and travel restrictions were imposed, on Sept. 28 last year or almost eight months since the virus was first detected in the country.

The province’s ECQ status came four days after it recorded its first community transmission of the virus. According to the World Health Organization, community transmission happens when there is an unknown source of infection in multiple areas.

On Sept. 16, four Basco residents tested positive for COVID-19 despite having no travel history outside the province. Three of them were isolated at Batanes General Hospital (BGH) while the fourth patient was quarantined at the Department of Agriculture-Batanes Experiment Station.

It was not immediately known how many of the 100 new infected patients in Batanes were close contacts of the four cases detected last week.

In an advisory on Monday, the provincial government said all inbound passenger flights were canceled until further notice to allow health workers and security front-liners to address the outbreak while the province is under ECQ.

It said the province could no longer accommodate inbound passengers who still needed to undergo mandatory facility-based quarantine required by local protocols.

“This is to allow our overwhelmed health-care workers and front-liners to focus on managing the first ever COVID-19 community transmission in the province,” it said.

Maximum capacity

The province’s quarantine and isolation facilities and the BGH had reached maximum capacity on Sept. 18. BGH has 28 beds dedicated to COVID-19 patients.

Under ECQ, only essential business establishments were allowed to operate from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., except for pharmacies permitted to operate beyond these hours.

All government agencies were also directed to maintain a skeleton workforce while employees classified under “vulnerable sectors,” like the elderly and those with medical conditions, would be allowed to work from home.

Mass gatherings or social events, including religious and sports activities, were also prohibited.

Motorboats going to Itbayat and Sabtang for interisland travel would only be allowed to transport basic necessities and authorized personnel, especially during emergency situations.

All municipal and barangay COVID-19 checkpoints and other outposts were again established to monitor the movement of the residents.

Since last year, Batanes has recorded 138 cases and zero deaths related to the disease.

Restrictions in Ilocos Sur

In Ilocos Sur province, 19 towns and two cities were also placed under ECQ for two weeks beginning Wednesday, according to Gov. Ryan Luis Singson.

These are the cities of Vigan and Candon, and the towns of Bantay, Cabugao, Caoayan, Gregorio del Pilar, Magsingal, Narvacan, Salcedo, San Ildefonso, San Juan, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, Santiago, Santa, Sinait, Sta. Cruz, Sta. Lucia, Sta. Maria, Sto. Domingo and Suyo.

In an executive order on Monday, Singson said the spike in COVID-19 cases in the province was “very high” and “alarming” despite interventions and implementation of health measures.

As of Monday, Ilocos Sur had 3,285 active infections out of the 11,261 COVID-19 cases recorded since the pandemic struck last year.

—WITH REPORTS FROM VILLAMOR VISAYA JR. AND YOLANDA SOTELO