By Mike Crismundo BUTUAN CITY - Caraga region has recorded 22 new cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), according to the Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD), in its Monday afternoon report. DOH Caraga announced Monday, June 29, 152 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results were received from the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC). Of these RT-PCR results, 120 tested negative while 32 were positive for the COVID-19 virus, it said. The negative RT-PCR results were from follow-up tests of previously confirmed cases, suspect cases, probable cases, and results coming from high-risk individuals who either have turned positive in the Rapid Antibody-based Test or with relevant travel and exposure to COVID-19, the DOH-CHD said. As revealed, 32 samples came back positive for COVID-19, comprised of 10 follow-up tests of previously confirmed cases, 22 new cases. Of the 22 cases, 18 were locally stranded individuals (LSIs), two returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs), one was a health worker, while the other has history of travel to an area with local transmission. “Based on the data at hand, we documented a steadily increase of cases with the highest number on the 25th morbidity week since January,” DOH 13 Regional Director Dr. Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. said. “As of this time, 70.29 percent of our confirmed cases were LSIs, 13.04 percent were ROFs, and 16.67 percent were health workers and individuals who travelled to areas with local transmission,” he said. Majority of the 20 cases were asymptomatic, while two have mild symptoms. All cases were admitted and isolated at designated quarantine facilities region wide for monitoring and management, he said. With this new development, the DOH-CHD Caraga has called on Tuesday the implementation of stricter health protocols as the spike of COVID-19 was recorded in Northeastern Mindanao or Caraga region. “We are decisive with our containment strategies together with the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease (RIATF-EID) and the Regional Task Force COVID-19 One Caraga Shield bodies. Areas with two or more recently confirmed cases should strictly follow quarantine and isolation protocols,” Llacuna said. “For areas with at least one case, should still adhere to the health standards and physical distancing practices,” stressed the health official. “We need to do this because these approaches can reduce further spread of the virus. Likewise, we also need to protect the vulnerable groups like our elderlies, children and those with pre-existing medical condition; and sustain capacity of critical and isolation beds, as well as protect our frontliners and health care workers,” the region’s health chief added. As of this time, Caraga region now has a total of 138 confirmed positive COVID-19 cases.