BALANGA CITY, Bataan – The Provincial Health Office (PHO) here reported over the weekend that six out of the seven cases of COVID-19 Delta variant in the province have already been declared recovered by the Department of Health (DOH).
They are all employees inside the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) in Mariveles.
The seventh patient, a 76-year old female from Balanga City, died and was suspected of having contracted the virus from a relative who is a Returning Overseas Filipino (ROF).
According to PHO head Dr. Rosanna Buccahan, they are now conducting intensified contact-tracing and mass testing on all close contacts of the Delta variant cases while effecting quarantine procedures on them.
They have also commenced disinfection procedures at the living quarters of the affected FAB employees to ensure the protection of the rest of the population.
Gov. Albert S. Garcia, through the local Inter-Agency Task Force for COVID-19, has recommended the immediate implementation of granular lockdown in three affected barangays in Mariveles – Biaan, Balon Anito, and Camaya – and dispatched teams from the PHO to conduct disinfection in the living quarters of the FAB employees.
He also immediately mobilized the different government agencies to provide support for intensified contact tracing and mass testing and provision for more isolation and quarantine facilities dedicated to Delta variant COVID patients.
Garcia is expanding the reach of government hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients by adding Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds at the Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center, Mariveles District Hospital, and the Mariveles Mental Wellness and General Hospital.
He also asked the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to help the province set up modular hospitals in Mariveles, the current epicenter of COVID cases in this province, to serve as ICUs.
Garcia also said the provincial government will revive the Kusina sa Barangay food program and ordered the distribution of relief goods in affected barangays.
He also encouraged the different locators inside the FAB to implement strict health protocols within their premises by suggesting the launching of the Seal of COVID-Free Locator, which will award incentives to companies who will register zero or 25 percent reduction in COVID cases in consecutive weeks.