BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – The City Health Office (CHO) recorded 63 active cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as of Dec. 13.
“Initially, we were recording around two to three cases daily, but since November, the numbers have risen to as many as 10 to 20 per day. This increase is concerning,” according to Dr. Jan Reygine Ansino of the CHO’s Iloilo City Epidemiological Surveillance Unit.
This year has seen a total of 1,211 confirmed COVID-19 cases since Jan. 1, with 1,125 recoveries and 24 deaths.
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.
Symptoms range from mild to severe and can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.
Some people infected with the virus may be asymptomatic, meaning they do not exhibit symptoms despite being infected.
Ansino observed that the most affected age group is between 21 to 30 years old, with the median age of patients being 34.
The oldest documented case is an 82-year-old individual.
While the death rate remains stable, active cases are on the rise.
“The last significant surge in COVID-19 cases was around May and June. Since November, we’ve seen a gradual increase,” said Ansino.
She attributed this rise to relaxed mask-wearing, especially during events, meetings, and in malls.
Most cases are mild to moderate, with some asymptomatic.
“But we’ve noted an increase in child cases since late November,” said Ansino.
COVID-19 primarily spreads between people through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It can also spread by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching the face, although this is not the primary way the virus spreads.
Ansino emphasized the urgency of the situation, advising preventative measures. The CHO is discussing mask mandates for immunocompromised individuals and the elderly with Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Many COVID-19 cases are discovered during hospital admissions, dialysis, or surgeries.
Measures such as social distancing, wearing face masks, hand hygiene, and vaccination have been recommended to prevent the spread of the virus.
Ansino advised that flu-like symptoms, similar to COVID-19, should not be ignored and require testing.
Compared to last year, 2023 has seen fewer cases, with no significant increase in December.
Ansino also expressed concern about the ongoing National Scout Jamboree in Passi City, attended by many children, including those from Iloilo City.
Regarding vaccinations, the majority of cases involve vaccinated individuals, with a few exceptions due to age or health conditions like cancer. The city awaits further directives from the Department of Health on additional vaccination plans. Currently, no vaccines are available to the public.
“As cases rise in December, I strongly advise everyone to wear masks, wash hands, and consult a doctor immediately if symptoms appear, especially for children, the elderly, and the immunocompromised,” said Ansino./PN
