2 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Ilocos Norte despite prior lockdown

Despite being the first province in the country to declare a lockdown prior to Malacañang’s enforcement of a Luzon-wide quarantine, Ilocos Norte recorded two cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Tuesday.

Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc announced in a statement that a 42-year-old male from Paoay and a 49-year-old male from Batac tested positive for COVID-19.

They are now in stable condition at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center.

The first patient did not have a history of travel while the second man went to Metro Manila several times, according to the governor.

Manotoc added that local authorities are now tracing the contacts of the two patients while the barangays where they came from, Sungadan and Magnuang, will be locked down.

“Rest assured, our medical personnel are properly trained and supply in our hospitals is sufficient,” he said.

“I sincerely ask for your cooperation to prevent the further spread of the disease in our beloved province. Please strictly observe house quarantining, only leave your home for necessities, continue to practice good hygiene, exercise, and do not worry too much.”

Nationwide, COVID-19 has claimed 88 lives and infected a total of 2,084 people. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News