OFFICIALS in Concepcion, Tarlac have enforced a 24-hour total lockdown after six of the 45 persons, who had a close contact with the town's first confirmed coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patient, tested positive for the virus during a rapid testing conducted by the local health office.
With this, Mayor Andy Lacson ordered the town to be placed under alert status with the concurrence of the municipal council.
Rapid testing is an initial testing being made to determine if a patient has a trace of Covid-19, according to Lacson. He clarified that the rapid test should be confirmed through a swab test.
The mayor said he was informed by the Tarlac Provincial Health Office that the result of the swab tests will take about two weeks or 14 days.
Lacson said they decided to take drastic measures so as not to compromise the health and lives of the people.
He at the same time cancelled all quarantine passes as a preventive measure to contain the spread of the virus in the municipality.
All commercial establishments in the town were closed on Tuesday which was designated by the local government as municipal sanitation day.
The mayor directed the barangay officials to utilize all local government resources to disinfect their respective villages.
Lacson asked his constituents to stay home and follow the quarantine rules enforced by the national and local government to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
The local government is set to issue new regulations relative to the enhanced community quarantine including the schedule of public markets, grocery stores, and other essential establishments.
Lacson assured that the local government is doing its best to protect the residents of Concepcion.
The town's first confirmed patient reportedly visited several establishments including drugstores, supermarkets before she got sick and tested positive of the virus.
