TUGUEGARAO CITY – A 70-year-old man from Basco town is the first coronavirus disease (Covid-19)-related fatality in the island-province of Batanes, the provincial government said.
Justinne Socito, the province's public information officer, told the Philippine News Agenc (PNA) in an interview on Monday that the man died on Saturday due to acute respiratory failure secondary to pneumonia
"The first Covid-19 fatality is confirmed," he said after an announcement was posted on the provincial government's Facebook page.
The death came as active cases in Batanes rose to 349 with 67 new cases on Saturday and Sunday.
Total confirmed cases reached 366 with 17 recoveries.
The capital town of Basco has the most number of cases with 254; followed by Uyugan with 25; and Mahatao with 24 cases.
The sharp increase in the province's Covid-19 cases came after Typhoon Kiko pummelled Batanes last September 11.
The province is still under enhanced community quarantine until October 4.
Socito said “strict monitoring is being implemented with regard to the use of face mask at all times, and the public is advised to observe physical distancing and practice proper hygiene.”
Meanwhile, a 76-year-old tabloid contributor from San Mateo, Isabela province also died due to Covid-19, two days after he was confirmed positive of the virus.
Juanito Fuentes, 76, of the daily tabloid "Remate", died Monday morning, his common-law wife, Irene Gonzales told the PNA.
"He will always be remembered as down-to-earth, friendly and good provider. He will always be in our hearts," she said.
Mark Djeron Tumabao, Philippine Information Agency-Cagayan Valley information officer, described him as one of the kindest media practitioners.
Fuentes, who also owned a photography shop, had been active in the media industry as a member of the Quirino Capitol Press Corps, 5th Infantry Division Press Corps and other media associations.
He is the third media practitioner in Cagayan Valley to die this year due to Covid-19. (PNA)
