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MANILA — The tally of coronavirus cases in the mountain region of Cordillera nearly doubled in a little over a week after pandemic lockdowns eased, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said Tuesday.

The region north of Metro Manila had 108 cases of COVID-19 as of June 18, up from 57 cases in June 10, he said.

"It alarmed us because suddenly we have cases coming out in provinces that were previously reported as zero, he told ANC.

With an erstwhile zero-record of COVID-19, Mountain Province now has 2 cases while Kalinga tallied 6 cases, said Magalong.

Coronavirus cases also jumped in Benguet to 36 from 14, and in Baguio to 44 from 38, said the mayor. Magalong said his city's tally included 7 active cases and 2 deaths.

He attributed the increase to the local transmission of the disease in 2 local hospitals, and the return of workers from nearby areas, residents stranded elsewhere by the lockdown, and repatriated migrant workers.

Travelers arriving in Baguio are required to pass through checkpoints and a 2-stage medical triage, he said.

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ANC, June 22, 2020