Bontoc Extends Strict Lockdown On 5 Villages Over UK Variant Outbreak
BONTOC EXTENDS LOCKDOWN – Bontoc has extended its lockdown of 5 villages with reported cases of the new UK coronavirus varaint.
Back in January, health officials announced the country’s first reported case of the UK coronavirus strain. Following this, more cases were reported from villages in Bontoc Town, Mountain Province.
Since then, local officials placed five villages in Bontoc Town under strict lockdown until February 7. Previously, local health officials said the outbreak was from clusters close to the initially infected patient.
According to an article from ABS-CBN, Barangays Bontoc Ili, Caluttit, Poblacion, Samoki and Tocucan had an “enhanced community quarantine (ECQ)-like” lockdown.
READ: UK Variant In Philippines: 57 Contacts Of UK Traveler In Bontoc Positive
The new UK coronavirus variant was found to be more transmissible. As such, the Department of Health immediately began conducting extensive contact tracing and testing.
As of Monday, around 410 close contacts of the 12 UK variant cases were found. Of this number, 322 were tested and 83 were found positive for COVID-19. However, all are asymptomatic.
Meanwhile, local health officials sent 8 samples to the Philippine Genome Center to find out if they were positive for the UK strand. Afterward, 10 more would be sent later today.
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