DAVAO CITY - The Provincial Governor's Office of Surigao del Norte announced the temporary closure of the Provincial Capital Compound, which is now considered a "critical zone" due to several suspected cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
According to Memorandum Order No. 20-369, issued on Friday by Provincial Governor Francisco Matugas, the Provincial Capitol Compound, "including all local and national offices therein", are temporarily closed to the public from October 2 to October 9.
Matugas said "at least one" of the suspected cases has already died.
"The rest are experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms, including difficulty in breathing," he said.
The governor ordered the conduct of massive disinfection, and contract tracing during the closure period.
Employees of the provincial government working in the capitol will also adopt a work-from-home scheme.
Matugas said all national government offices in the capitol were "encouraged to also adopt an alternative work arrangement acceptable to their respective agencies so as to effectively and efficiently prevent and/or control the spread of COVID-19 in our province."
As of October 1, Surigao City has a total of 25 confirmed cases of COVID-19, six of whom are still admitted and on strict quarantine. Based on the bulletin released by the City Health Office, one has died and a total of 18 have recovered.
Meanwhile, the Caraga Regional Hospital has recorded 31 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 10 of whom are currently admitted, 16 have recovered and five died.
Caraga Regional Hospital has a total of 92 COVID-19 admissions.
Based on the bulletin released by the City Health Office, one has died and a total of 18 have recovered. Records also show that there are 18 probable cases of COVID-19, two of these were already cleared, while 16 are still under monitoring in either a hospital or quarantine facility.