No local transmission of COVID-19 in Zamboanga del Sur so far — governor

There is so far no local transmission of COVID-19 in Zamboanga del Sur, its governor said Tuesday.

At the Laging Handa briefing, Governor Victor Yu said they have equipped checkpoints with rapid test kits and are recording every entry to the province.

"Sa May, nag-GCQ (general community quarantine) kami, nakita namin na na-control namin 'yung situation kasi so far wala namang local transmission dito," he said.

He said there are currently 13 COVID-19-positive patients in the province and that 60 other people who tested positive through rapid testing are awaiting the results of a confirmatory swab test.

According to the provincial government's official Facebook page, the provincial case total was 18 as of June 23. Of this number, five patients have recovered and none have died.

Yu said the province is receiving locally stranded individuals.

Meanwhile, Yu said the provincial government is working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology to set up facilities that would provide internet signal to "maybe more than 80% to 90%" of Zamboanga del Sur. — Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/RSJ, GMA News