BAGUIO CITY – The country’s Summer Capital posted two deaths related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and recorded 40 new cases, and 16 recoveries on Friday, October 16.

The city now has a total of 19 deaths since the start of the pandemic, and 525 active cases and 1,031 recoveries, for a total of 1,575 confirmed cases.

The latest fatalities were a 77-year-old male who died on October 16 after three days of confinement, and an 80-year-old male, who was pronounced dead on-arrival at a hospital on October 16, and was swabbed post mortem. Both had pre-existing health problems.

Of the 40 new cases, 34 were contact traced, four were symptomatic, and three were discovered after expanded testing.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong reminded residents anew to never let their guard down to ensure safety from the virus by always observing the health and safety protocols.

"The virus remains out there and our thrust now is to learn to co-exist with it to go on with our lives under the new normal times," he said.

Magalong advised the public to wear their face shields and masks when going out of their homes to fortify their protection against the virus.

"Since face shields are already required in almost all establishments, it is just good practice to always have them and to wear them properly even when we are outside our homes or buildings," Magalog said.

He said people have to take it upon themselves to ensure that they and their families are well protected at all times by adhering to all the established health and safety protocols including the wearing of these protective equipment.