TACLOBAN CITY-A town mayor in Leyte will not be performing any marriage ceremony as their area is grappling with high cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In an advisory, Mayor Azucena Mirambel will not officiate any civil marriages for the entire month. Under our laws, mayors are authorized to solemnize civil rites.
The municipal hall itself was closed starting Monday, Jan.18, until Jan.20 for disinfection as several employees were said to have been direct contacts of one employee who was earlier tested to be positive of the dreaded virus.
Among other measures instituted by the municipal government to curb its increasing COVID-19 cases include prohibition of masses and other religious gatherings and private gatherings until the contact tracing that is underway would be completed.
It was learned that the municipal government is tracing around 200 individuals.
At present, the town, which was placed under lockdown since Jan.16 which is to end on Jan.20, has 30 COVID-19 cases with one death involving a 75-year old man who died last Jan. 13.
The rural health unit in Capoocan, also in Leyte, was closed indefinitely since Monday (Jan.18) after one its employees was tested positive of COVID-19.
And since Jan.16, the rural health unit of Mayorga, also in Leyte, was shut down for disinfection and contact tracing after one of its health worker tested positive.
Meantime, the regional office of Department of Health reported of 24 new cases of COVID-19, pushing the region’s total cases to 12,931.
The region’s number of deaths has also increased to 16 with two new deaths.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
