BIATF urges tighter measures after surge in Covid-19 cases

SUDDEN INCREASE--- Officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao - Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) announced a surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) positive cases in the region during a press briefing on Thursday, June 18, 2020. BIATF officials, led by the Ministry of Health chief, Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan (center), notes that the spike was brought about by the influx of locally stranded Individuals and returning overseas Filipino workers in the past two weeks. (PHOTO COURTESY OF BPI-BARMM, MINDANAO EXPOSE') 

 COTABATO CITY --- Officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) have called for tighter health protocol measures after a sudden increase in the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) positive cases in the region.

The region currently has 72 total confirmed cases, the BIATF reported during a press briefing here Thursday. Of the total cases, 56 are active cases, 12 have recovered and four died.

"Seven new cases included three Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) in Lanao del Sur, and three Returning Overseas Filipino Workers (ROFWs) and one LSI from Maguindanao,” said BIATF spokesperson Mohammad AsninPendatun.

Pendatun said the surge in Covid-19 cases was particularly brought about by the influx of homecoming LSIs and ROFWs during the past two weeks under the government’s “HatidTulong” program.

With the sudden increase of Covid-19 cases in the region, Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan, BARMM health minister, reminded local government units (LGUs) to be more vigilant in monitoring and addressing the rising number of Covid-19 positive cases in their respective areas.

“While the BARMM supports the government's HatidTulong program, proper coordination among the LGUs is necessary,” Dipatuan said.

Dipatuan also lamented that some residents still violate community quarantines and do not abide by the travel restrictions imposed by their local governments.

"We appeal to everyone, especially those who travel by land to pass through the protocol, you cannot just go back to your communities without coordination with the LGUs," he said.

So far, he said MOH-BARMM was only able to document 150 LSIs who were brought back to their communities through a sweeper flight earlier this month.

"We have to ask for the law enforcers' assistance to protect our health workers because we have reports of harassments towards our front-liners," Dipatuan said.

Meanwhile, the BIATF said that the prevailing implementation of the modified general community quarantine in BARMM will continue up to the end of this month.

Pendatun advised LGUs to continue following the minimum health standards such as safe physical distancing, wearing of face masks, regular handwashing, and use alcohol and hand sanitizers during the period.

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He also reiterated the regional DarulIfta’s reminder to the community to observe the 50 percent capacity rule in conducting prayers in the mosques. (ALBASHIR SAIDEN, PNA), MINDANAO EXPOSE')