LAOAG CITY – The provincial government of Ilocos Norte lifted Sunday, September 20, the temporary suspension of the entry of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) to the province.
Provincial Communications and Media Officer Rhona Ysabel Daoang called all returning residents to coordinate with their respective barangay officials, local government units (LGUs), and the provincial government for the facilitation of their return to the province.
The temporary suspension in accepting LSIs in Ilocos Norte was supposedly set from September 13 to September18 but this was extended to September 19 due to the continuing upsurge of the number of coronavirus disease (COVID–19) cases.
On Friday, the province logged three new cases followed by another positive case on Saturday.
As of Sunday, the reported total case of COVID-19 in the province has already reached 104, with
41 active cases, 62 cases recovered, and one fatality.
Meanwhile, Sarrat town had recorded on Saturday the recovery of their 26 residents from COVID–19. At present, the town has five active cases, which are currently recovering in isolation units. As of Sunday, there was no new case in Sarrat town.
Due to the rising demand for quick and easy diagnosis of COVID-19, Daoang said that the provincial government has installed another antigen testing machine located at the border of Ilocos Norte-Ilocos Sur on Friday.
Daoang said at least five medical technicians were assigned in the area to expedite the testing of border crossers.
On Monday, she said that another testing facility will be opened at the Ilocos Norte-Cagayan border in Pagudpud town to cater to the border crossers there.
Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc appealed for the cooperation of residents with the strict policies on local health protocols for the containment on the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
“As we continue to devise strategies to mitigate the spread of the virus, we ask for your continued support and understanding; together, we will overcome this virus,” he said.
Meanwhile, a police officer, who was diagnosed with COVID -19 positive, is awaiting criminal and administrative charges that will be filed against him in court for violating the quarantine protocols when he arrived in Ilocos Norte with an expired test result for COVID-19.
The police officer, tagged as IN-67, will be facing the charges upon his discharge from the Mariano Marcos Hospital and Medical Center in Batac City where he is undergoing medical treatment.
Against the advice of his superiors to wait for the release of his swab test result, the police officer reportedly proceeded to go home to attend a family gathering, and church, and school events.
It was reported that the police officer had close contact with more than 100 persons.