Bien Unido reports zero 

Covid cases after 2 mos 

CORTES, Bohol, Sept 12 (PIA)—From being the epicenter of the medical health crisis that has finally arrived in Bohol and with local health authorities now clueless to pinpoint who are those causing community transmission, Bien Unido is reporting zero COVID-19 cases after a little over a month. 

Since August, Bien Unido town has figured in the local COVID affectation, its number of community-transmitted virus building until it peaked with 25, forcing a full lockdown in Malingin Island, where a death was reported. 

“It may be recalled in the past weeks, that our town became the epicenter of the disease in the island province with 25 of Bohol’s cases coming from this town,” Bien Unido Mayor Rene Borenaga, who is supposed to read a statement during the town’s holy mass Sept 13. 

The mayor, who has personally tried to lead local responders in managing the situation and contain the transmission said it saddens her that one of those who died of COVID-19 came from the town. 

The case has pushed local government and provincial medical authorities to initiate a total lockdown in Malingin Island, as the LGU, knowing the magnanimity of supplying food to households during the total lockdown scrimped its meager resource to stretch the local reserves and serve all who needed them. 

On this, health authorities reported another case in the Mainland, in Nueva Estrella. 

When the cases reached 25, all attention of the Boholanos shifted to Malingin and Guindacpan in nearby Talibon, where the local transmission has taken to the household levels. 

This week however, following noted recoveries, things have started to change. 

With its last two cases swab-tested last week, residents await in bated breath for the results. 

At this, “it is with great happiness to inform you that our hardwork, cooperation and most of all, our prayers to the Lord Almighty and most especially to the Holy Child, our beloved town is now COVID-free.” 

This means we do not have any case of the disease and the virus anymore,” Borenaga continued. 

Despite the uplifting report, local leaders jointly call for continued vigilance and cooperation in keeping everyone protected. 

“Even with this positive development, we and other leaders of our town continue to plead and ask you, our dear constituents to remain vigilant and to follow the minimum health standards and safety protocols imposed by local and national governments,” she called on her constituents. 

It may also be recalled that the town organized a massive Locally Stranded Individuals (LSI) pullout from Cebu, along with the Philippine Coast Guard. 

With several cases in other towns, as caused by contacts with returning LSI, ROF and APORs, “let me inform you that we have 542 LSIs, and all of them have shown no indications and symptoms of COVID-19. 

Of the number, 250 have remained in mandatory quarantine in their respective quarantine facilities as supported by our local government. 

The rest, or the 249 have successfully completed the 14 days of quarantine and have returned to their respective homes and rejoined their families. Mayor Borenaga said. 

“Once again, may we continue to be vigilant, help each other and unite and most especially, let us continue to fervently pray to out God Almighty because nothing is impossible if we continue to call and trust in him, so we could continue to resist the disease that is threatening the world, she disclosed. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol). 

CONTAINING THE VIRUS. Crucial in Bien Unido’s containing the virus in Malingin and getting their numbers down is cooperation and participation among communities and towns coupled with fervent prayers for protection from the Holy Child. (PIABohol/BienUnidoMunicipalityFB) 

LARGESCALE LSI PULLOUT. Despite being tagged as among the vectors of the diseases that hyas caused lockdowns in two islands in Bohol, Bien Unido has organized largescale pullout of its residents from hotzone Cebu, conscious that LSIs can well be made productive and safe in their homes than elsewhere. (PIABohol/BienUnido LGU)