Apalit LGU ends contact-tracing in Capalangan Covid-19 incident
APALIT - After about two weeks of rigid contact-tracing, the local government here said it has finally accounted for all individuals who had recent interaction with coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infected persons.
It could be remembered that since July 2, the municipality recorded a quick transmission of Covid-19 among residents of Barangay Capalangan here which stemmed from the infection of a 69-year-old woman.
The number of cases grew up to 24 in the said barangay and its adjacent purok in Barangay Sucad alone as of the past weekend, based on the report of Mayor Oscar Tetangco, Jr.
On Wednesday noon, Tetangco said the local inter-agency task force is officially concluding its series of contact-tracing activity with regards to the said incident.
"After identifying and testing a total of 204 individuals, we are finally concluding our contact-tracing activity," the mayor said.
He disclosed that out of the total number, 177 tested negative for the virus, 23 are active cases, and one recovery.
The three firemen who were tasked to disinfect the community, meanwhile, did not undergo swab testing but were required to do selfisolation as they were in full personal protective equipment.
All Covid-19 positive patients are still isolated in government health facility, while those who tested negative were sent home and subjected to 14-day quarantine, the mayor said.
He added the local government is now shifting into the monitoring of its active cases to ensure the quick recovery of the patients, as much as possible.
Post -l ock d ow n action plan
As the local government lifted the lockdown in barangays Capalangan and Sucad, Tetangco said strict measures are still implemented to safeguard the community and its people.
He said all individuals who are required to do home quarantine is being monitored to ensure their compliance with the protocol.
A special curfew starting at 7:00 p.m. up to 5:00 a.m. the following day is still strictly implemented, and only frontliners and authorized persons outside residence (APOR) is allowed to go out.
Tricycles are also only allowed to ferry one passenger, while mini markets established by local gover nment
and barangay will remain in the area.
Tetangco urged Apaliteños to be cooperative to prevent the same incident in Capalangan village from happening again.
"Our battle in Barangay Capalangan is nearly over but let us not be complacent. Please be cooperative with the local government as we only want the best for everybody, especially in Apalit. Let us fight together Covid-19," he sai d.