BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Provincial Inter Agency Task Force reported that 21 persons deprived of liberty in Negros Oriental were infected by coronavirus disease 2019.
Dr. Liland Estacion, PIATF chief, said during a virtual briefing on Dec. 26 that the 21 DPLs are now isolated at the custodial facility of the Dumaguete City Police Station.
Initial investigations by the PIATF showed that the virus may have been brought in by the two PDLs remitted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency lately, and discovered to have been infected ahead of the others.
All 21 DPLs are asymptomatic, Estacion said, adding that she had recommended to the Dumaguete City Health Office that all police officers with direct contact with the infected inmates undergo swab testing.
Of the 76 new Covid cases reported as of Dec. 23, Estacion said 43 were recorded in Dumaguete City, Tanjay City – 14, Sibulan – 8, Siaton – 4, Guihulngan City – 2, and one each in Mabinay, Bindoy, Bacong, Ayungon, and Valencia. Of the 908 confirmed cases in Negros Oriental, 169 are active cases, with 712 recoveries, and 27 deaths.*
