BUTUAN CITY - The Department of Health - Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) reported on Tuesday afternoon that 30 additional cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were recorded in Northeastern Mindanao or Caraga region, the highest recorded in less than a week.

With this new development, Caraga region now has a total of 245 COVID-19 positive cases.

DOH Caraga announced Tuesday that 121 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results were received from the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), and Northern Mindanao TB Reference Center (NMTBR) sub-national laboratories.

Of these results, 91 tested negative while 30 turned out positive for the COVID-19 virus.

The negative RT-PCR results were from suspect cases, probable cases and high-risk individuals who either have turned positive in the rapid antibody-based test, or with relevant travel and exposure to COVID-19 areas. These were cases coming from different quarantine facilities and hospitals in the region.

The 30 samples were new RT-PCR-confirmed positive results for COVID-19.

Of the 30 new cases,18 were locally stranded individuals, eight were returning overseas Filipinos, three were residents of an area declared with local transmission and one had history of travel to Cagayan de Oro.

The new infections were from the following areas: Butuan City (11), Carmen, Agusan del Norte (4), Bayugan City (1), municipalities of Agusan del Sur- Bunawan (1) and San Francisco (1); Surigao City (2), municipalities of Surigao del Norte - Alegria (1), Bacuag (3), Pilar (1), Placer (1), Sison (1) and San Isidro (1); Bislig City (1), Lingig, Surigao del Sur (1).

Twenty-four of the new cases were asymptomatic, while six cases exhibited signs and symptoms. Moreover, all cases were placed, admitted and isolated at designated quarantine and treatment facilities region wide for monitoring and management.

With this new development, the regional office of the DOH-CHD based here urged Caraganons to strictly follow all the health protocols issued by the agency, local government units and different agencies of the government.

“We strongly remind the public to practice the minimum health standards. Let us BIDA Solusyon to COVID-19: B-bawal walang mask, I-isanitize ang kamay, D-distansya ng isang metro and A-alamin ang totoong impormasyon,” DOH 13 Regional Director Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. said.

“At the same time, we have already resumed our Sabayang Patak Kontra Polio campaign. Let us protect our children especially those aged 0-59 months or below 5 years old from this dreadful and debilitating immunizable disease. The campaign will end on August 2, 2020 with the hope that we will achieve the 95-percent national target,” the region’s top health official said.

As of July 20, 2020, the partial vaccination coverage of the region is at 27.14 percent.

“We can only get the target if we work together,” Llacuna said.

“Health workers will observe the proper health protocols to ensure safety of the vaccination team and the community by wearing personal protective equipment (PPEs) like face masks and face shields, gloves and regularly wash or sanitize their hands as they conduct the house to house strategy. Remember, there was already polio outbreak before the COVID-19 pandemic,” the regional health chief concluded.