CORTES, Bohol, Sept. 13 (PIA) -- From being the epicenter of the medical health crisis in Bohol province, Bien Unido town is reporting zero COVID-19 cases after a little over a month.
Since August, Bien Unido has figured in the local COVID-19 affectation as its number of community-transmitted virus on the rise until it peaked with 25 cases, forcing a full lockdown in Malingin Island, where a death was reported.
“It may be recalled in the past weeks, that our town became the epicenter of the disease in the island province with 25 of Bohol’s cases coming from this town,” Bien Unido Mayor Rene Borenaga said.
The mayor, who has personally tried to lead local responders in managing the situation and in containing the transmission, said it saddens her that one of those who died of COVID-19 came from the town.
The case has pushed local government and provincial medical authorities to initiate a total lockdown in Malingin Island, as the LGU, knowing the magnanimity of supplying food to households during the total lockdown, scrimped its meager resources to stretch the local reserves and serve all who needed them.
On this, health authorities reported another case in the mainland, in Nueva Estrella.
When the cases reached 25, all attention of the Boholanos shifted to Malingin and Guindacpan in nearby Talibon, where the local transmission has reached household levels.
This week, however, following noted recoveries, things have started to change.
With its last two cases swab-tested last week, Borenaga announced that the town is now COVID-free.
"It is with great happiness to inform you that our hardwork, cooperation and most of all, our prayers to the Lord Almighty and most especially to the Holy Child worked, our beloved town is now COVID-free," the mayor said.
"This means we do not have any case of the disease and the virus anymore,” Borenaga continued.
Despite the uplifting report, local leaders jointly called for continued vigilance and cooperation in keeping everyone protected.
“Even with this positive development, we and other leaders of our town continue to plead and ask you, our dear constituents to remain vigilant and to follow the minimum health standards and safety protocols imposed by local and national governments,” she said.
It can be recalled that the town organized a massive Locally Stranded Individuals (LSI) pullout from Cebu, along with the Philippine Coast Guard.
With several cases in other towns caused by contacts with returning LSIs, returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and authorized persons outside of residence (APORs), the mayor assured safety, adding that "we have 542 LSIs, and all of them have shown no indications and symptoms of COVID-19."
Of the total, 250 remain in mandatory quarantine in their respective quarantine facilities as supported by the local government.
The other 249 have successfully completed the 14-day quarantine period and have returned to their respective homes and rejoined their families, Borenaga said.
“Once again, may we continue to be vigilant, help each other and unite and most especially, let us continue to fervently pray to our God Almighty because nothing is impossible if we continue to call and trust in him, so we could continue to resist the disease that is threatening the world," she added. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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