TACLOBAN CITY (PNA) – The Northern Samar provincial government has reiterated its appeal to strictly follow health protocols as the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the province breached the 500-mark on Sunday.
In an advisory issued Sunday night through its official social media account, the provincial government reported that the total cases have already reached 502, including 324 active cases, 174 recoveries, and four deaths.
Among the infected were 53 inmates and 12 jail guards of the sub-provincial jail in Laoang town.
In Catarman, the local government reported seven new COVID-19 cases on Sunday. They were residents of Daganas, Airport, and Narra villages of the capital town of Northern Samar.
The town has been placed under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) since mid-October.
The provincial government also reported two new deaths from Catarman and Laoang towns.
Catarman is a first-class town with a population of over 94,000.
As of October 24, Catarman has recorded 191 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 70 recoveries and two deaths.
“As the surge of cases continues, the Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force appeals to the public to observe health protocols by wearing face masks, sanitize or wash hands,” the local government said in a statement.
It also advised the public to avoid gatherings such as wakes, parties, cockfights or tupada, drinking sprees, and other forms of gatherings which make people susceptible to Covid-19 infection.
“Recent cases in the province were traced to have originated from gatherings,” it added.