Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 11) — Surigao del Norte is purchasing 5,000 COVID-19 test kits in a bid to stop the virus from spreading to the province.
On Saturday, Governor Alexander Pimentel said, “Nagpabili na po ako, katulong ni mayor ng Butuan City, nagpabili na po ako ng 5,000 testing kit para makapagsimula na kami ng testing dito. Kasi we would like to maintain na zero COVID-19 ang Surigao del Sur.”
[Translation: With the help of the mayor of Butuan City, I have ordered 5,000 testing kits so we can star testing here. We would like to maintan zero COVID-19 cases in Surigao del Sur.]
Latest reports say there are no COVID-19 cases in Surigao del Sur. There are however, three persons under investigation.
Pimentel added they are appealing to residents to stay where they are as a lockdown has been implemented in the province.
Those who are stranded outside Surigao del Sur and are unable to enter will be getting help from the province, Pimentel added.
The governor added they were coordinating with government agencies to make sure help would reach families who needed it.
Pimentel also appealed to the national government to provide more aid to the provinces, which he said are also spending large amounts to stem the spread of the virus in their localities.
