Baguio reimposes face mask, discourages handshake

Baguio City has reimposed the wearing of face mask in all establishments and crowded places amid the spike of COVID-19 cases, according to Cedric Castillo’s “24 Oras” report.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong also told residents to avoid shaking hands to prevent the spread of the virus.

“Wala namang restriction sa paggalaw ng mga tao, turista, estudyante pero mahigpit na ipinapa-alala na wala munang pakikipagkamay at mabuting fist bump or elbow bump na lang muna. mas lalong wala din munang beso-beso,” Magalong said.

“Hindi naman natin kinokontrol yung movement ng tao, i-avoid na lang muna natin yung handshakes, gamitin na lang muna natin yung fist bump, elbow bump,” he added.

The city government said there was no cause for alarm as the hospital utilization rate remains low.

“Mild cases lang ang kanilang naitatala… ang mga ito ay hakbang lamang para mapababa ang transmission ng virus at hindi ibig sabihin na lalala ulit ang sitwasyon,” Magalong said.

In Isabela, face-to-face classes were suspended.  The Cabanatuan National High School also cancelled in-person classes since Friday after 11 teachers and two students were found positive of the virus.

The school’s more than 2,000 students are holding online or modular classes.

According to the monitoring by OCTA Research, the positivity rate in Metro Manila has climbed to 25.4% the past seven days.

This means for every four persons getting COVID-19 tests, one is found positive.

The positivity rate is the same recorded in 2021 at the height of the Delta variant.

OCTA’s Guido David, however, clarified the current situation is “not directly comparable but in terms of how many peoplemare testing positive, yes.”

“The testing then was much higher compared to now.  Iyong average testing natin was 40 thousand test per day compared to now, we are only averaging about 4,000,” he added.

Latest data by the Department of Health showed over 400 COVID-19 patients are critical.

ICU beds occupancy rate, meanwhile, has reached 18.8%.—LDF, GMA Integrated News