Local COVID-19 transmission declared in Marawi and Lanao del Sur

The Lanao del Sur and Marawi City Inter-Agency Task Forces on Emerging Infectious Diseases on Sunday declared local transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after 21 cases were found to have no recent travel history.

“Twenty-one cases were noted to have no known exposure or recent travel history outside of Lanao del Sur and Marawi City for the past 30 days. Hence, local transmission is hereby declared,” the task forces said in a statement. 

“This is a precautionary pronouncement to ensure that our local governments, public and private health care providers and all other stakeholders can prepare for possible increase in suspected and confirmed cases,” they added.

Out of the 21 cases of local transmission, the youngest is a 3-year-old male while the oldest is a 65-year-old female.

The authorities said intensified contact tracing and isolation of close contacts are underway while the health system is being ramped up.

As of Sunday, Lanao del Sur has 28 active COVID-19 cases, 175 recoveries, and six deaths. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News