COVID-19 active cases in NegOr is now at 662, catches up with Cebu City at 650

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

DUMAGUETE CITY— Negros Oriental is catching up with Cebu City in terms of the number of active cases of COVID-19 infection with 650 for Cebu City and 662 for Negros Oriental as of January 15, according to the Department of Health (DOH-7)-Central Visayas.

DOH-7 regional director Dr. Jaime Bernadas reported this during the "Pagdu-aw Sa Negros Oriental: Explain, Explain, Explain" event conducted by the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) and the Philippine Information Ahency (PIA) in Dumaguete on January 22.

“Medyo nigukod na gyud ta sa City of Cebu sa active cases. Kung tan-awon nimo ang Cebu City, ang active cases 650. Ang Negros Oriental active cases 662.”  (Negros Oriental is catching up with Cebu City in terms of active COVID-19 cases. Cebu City has 650 while Negros Oriental’s active cases is at 662),” Bernadas said.

Bernadas added that for the past two to three weeks, COVID-19 cases in Negros Oriental and Cebu City saw a sharp increase.

DOH-7 data showed that Dumaguete City, the Province’s capital has registered the highest number of COVID-19 infection during the holiday season, from 101 cases as of Dec. 17, 2020 to 127 as of Jan. 15, 2021.

Bernadas went on the DOH-7 also recorded an increasing monthly trend of active COVID-19 infection in the Negros Oriental from September to December last year due to the volume of incoming Locally Stranded Individuals (LSIs) and Returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who came back home after being displaced amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bernadas said that another reason for this is the escalating cases of COVID-19 infection recorded in the local government units that are near or located in the province’s borders such as Guihulngan City, Canlaon City, Basay, Bayawan City, Sta. Catalina, and La Libertad during that time.

He then called on the mayors anew to strengthen their strategies in preventing the spread of the virus, particularly their isolation, containment, and contact tracing measures.

"We should strictly monitor our cases especially those that are positive. Make sure that they are completely isolated, conduct contact tracing, and ensure that their contacts are isolated as well,” Bernadas added.

Bernadas explained that because COVID-19 cases are increasing, the LGUs must also enhance the capacity to address and admit COVID patients, not only in ICUs but in COVID beds, isolation beds and temporary treatment or management facilities or isolation centers because this is the most important thing to do for now.

He urged everyone not to let our guards down even when there are no cases recorded in some towns here like Mabinay, Siaton, and Pamplona over the past weeks; for the public to follow health protocols to avoid contracting the virus and reminded LGUs to enforce these protocols strictly. (Photos: PIA-NegOr)