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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Party blamed for spike in Boracay COVID cases

Party blamed for spike in Boracay COVID cases

Published Apr 5, 2021 05:06 pm

ILOILO CITY – The surge of COVID-19 cases that led to the total lockdown of one of three barangays at world-famous Boracay Island has been traced to a party.

A couple walks along the white beach of Boracay Island Thursday, October 1, as the country’s most popular beach destination reopens to domestic tourists. (Tara Yap / File photo / MANILA BULLETIN)

“The root cause of COVID-19 infection is from an event,” said Dr. Athena Magdamit, chief of the Municipal Health Office of Malay, Aklan where Boracay is located.

Barangay Balabag has been under Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) while Zone 1 and Zone 7 of Barangay Manocmanoc are under surgical lockdown since April 1.

In a virtual press conference, Magdamit disclosed that a male worker had close contact with a tourist from Metro Manila who was in Boracay from March 10-13. Days after leaving Boracay, the tourist tested positive for COVID-19.

On the other hand, the male worker attended a party at one of Boracay’s bars. He would later exhibit symptoms but Magdamit said he already passed on the infection to others.
“From that event (party), it was passed on to others. They were exposed silently,” Magdamit said.

But the doctor particularly noted that those who were infected by COVID-19 did not initially consult health professionals when they started exhibiting symptoms.
As of April 4, there are 85 active cases of COVID-19 in Boracay. Barangay Balabag has 47 cases while Manocmanoc has 37.

Malay Mayor Frolibar Bautista has urged workers and residents in Boracay to cooperate and seek help from health officials if they exhibit COVID-19 symptoms so they can be tested and isolated.

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