Gov’t locks down Valencia compound as 2 test positive for Covid-19

By Froilan Gallardo, Special Correspondent .

AUTHORITIES in Valencia City, Bukidnon, locked down the compound of Iglesias sa Dios Espiritu Santo where two Covid-19 patients have resided.

Mayor Azucena Huervas issued Executive Order 49 Monday afternoon declaring the compound of Iglesias sa Dios Espiritu Santo in Purok 2, Barangay Lumbo, Valencia City as “a critical zone.”

Huervas placed the compound under Enhanced Community Quarantine and ordered the police to enforce extreme perimeter restrictions.

She also placed a 500-meter radius containment zone around the compound limiting the entry and exit of residents in Purok 2.

Huervas issued the order after the Department of Health confirmed that two COVID-19 patients—case # 17 and case# 18, resided in the compound.

Case # 17, a 54-year-old returning male resident from Makati and Case # 18, a 19-year-old returning male resident from Antipolo City—was found positive of the coronavirus by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT -PCR) test whose results were made known at 4pm last Monday.

Valencia City police chief Lt. Col. Surki Sereñes said at least 23 members of the Iglesia Sa Dios Espiritu Santo who lives in the compound are affected by the order.

“They are not allowed to go outside the compound. What ever they need will be provided to them,” Sereñes said.

Sereñes said the local government will provide the rice and food as well as emergency medical treatments.

For those living in the 500-meter radius Containment Zone, Sereñes said only those working will be allowed to get out from the perimeter.