By Mike Crismundo BUTUAN CITY – Five towns in Surigao del Norte province have recorded their first coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases since the pandemic broke out. These are Alegria, Placer, Claver, Malimono, and Socorro towns. Department of Health (DOH 13) Regional Director Dr. Jose R. Llacuna Jr. said of the 31 new cases recorded in Caraga region on Monday, 21 were from Surigao del Norte province, the highest reported single-day count. Of this number, four were recorded in Surigao City, eight in Claver town, three in Alegria town, and two each in the towns of Placer, Malimono and Socorro, all of Surigao del Norte province. Surigao del Norte Gov. Atty. Francisco T. Matugas and Surigao City Mayor Estong Matugas appealed to all Surigaonons to stay calm and strictly follow all health protocols issued by the province and the city and other concerned line agencies of the government. “We appeal to all Surigaonons to stay at home if there is no need to go outside and always wear masks when going out,” they said. “We urge the public to impose upon themselves a much heightened sense of self-discipline especially in avoiding unnecessary celebrations and social gatherings, to always observe social distancing and proper hygiene in order to halt the spread of the virus,” Mayor Matugas said. “We urge you (Surigaonons) to take COVID-19 seriously – serious enough to make us think twice before we go out into the streets and public places, but not something that will lead us to panic or believe in unproven quasi-medical interventions,” the Surigao City Chief executive added, as he urged his constituents “to continue the battle against the virus with unity and pray for God’s divine intervention that our City and our nation will heal as one.” Caraga region has 87 confirmed COVID-19 cases to date. Of the new 31 cases, 22 are locally stranded individuals (LSIs), one returning overseas Filipino (ROF), and eight workers in the mining industry who came from Luzon and the Visayas.