STA. TERESITA, Cagayan (PIA) - - The cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in this town is increasing but are still under control, Mayor Rodrigo P. De Gracia assured. 

He said that they have 20 active cases as of today, 118 recoveries and eight deaths; however, the town remains to be one among the areas with minimal confirmed cases in the province. 

De Gracia said that they strictly implement health protocols such as the wearing of face masks and face shields, observance of physical distancing, prohibition of mass gatherings, and the tedious screening of entry of non-residents.

"Only Authorized Persons Outside of Residents (APORs) who have the pertinent documents are allowed entry in our town. Other non-residents need to present their negative antigen or RT-PCR test results. We do noy also allow them if they do noy have important business in our town," the Mayor said. 

He also stated that even ambulant vendors who have been doing business in their town are scrutinized rigidly in their entry to ensure that no 'super spreader' can enter the town. 

The Mayor also said that their Temporary Treatment and Management Facilities (TTMFs) are not yet full as they can manage to control the spread of the virus. All of their barangays also have their respective isolation facilities. 

"We always ensure that our barangay frontliners are alert on this matter and our COVID patients are also given enough attention. We provide also their needs while [they stay] in the isolation facilities," De Gracia said. 

He likewise expressed his gratitude to the Provincial Government of Cagayan, through Governor Manuel Mamba, on the "No Barangay Left Behind and No Town Left Behind" program funds that are now being utilized for COVID-19 response. (JKC/OTB/PIA Cagayan)