ILOILO – This province as of Sept. 4 had the highest number of confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in Region 6, the highest active cases and deaths in Western Visayas, according to the Department of Health (DOH) in Region 6.
Here are the figures:
* Aklan – 11,892 total cases (719 active, 10,990 recovered and 183 deaths)
* Antique – 5,060 total cases (901 active, 4,029 recovered and 128 deaths)
* Capiz – 7,032 total cases (1,107 active, 5,681 recovered and 243 deaths)
* Guimaras – 2,069 total cases (626 active, 1,406 recovered and 36 deaths)
* Iloilo – 24,657 total cases (5,057 active, 18,975 recovered and 621 deaths)
* Negros Occidental – 22,862 total cases (1,496 active, 20,881 recovered and 476 deaths)
* Bacolod City – 16,968 total cases (1,004 active, 15, 559 recovered and 402 deaths)
* Iloilo City – 16,965 total (1,857 active, 14,659 recovered and 444 deaths)
ALL-TIME HIGH COVID CASES
On Saturday, this province also listed new 447 COVID-19 cases, the highest recorded in the province yet since the start of the pandemic.
“We are having trouble referring patients to hospitals,” said Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, acting head of the Provincial Health Office (PHO).
“Please use masks (and practice) hand washing and physical distancing. I have been going to the barangays, and I have observed wala na gid naga-mask (ang tawo) bisan sa dalan, sa tyangge. Pangamuyo gid kita,” Quiñon said.
These new cases were listed by the following local government units (LGUs) or facility: Pavia (44), Guimbal (32), Oton (31), Pototan (26), Badiangan (25), Barotac Nuevo (23), Concepcion (23), Passi City (22), Miag-ao (20), Alimodian (17), San Joaquin (15), Janiuay (14), Mina (13), Barortac Viejo (12), Dingle (12), Calinog – 12), Santa Barbara (11), Lambunao (11), Cabatuan (10), New Lucena (nine), Maasin (nine), Leon (eight), Dueñas (six), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Nanga, Pototan (five), Estancia (four), Zarraga (four), Tigbauan (four), Dumangas (three), Carles (three), Banate (three), Anilao (two), Bingawan (two), Leganes (two), Sara (two), San Enrique (one), Balasan (one), San Rafael (one), Igbaras (one), and Ajuy (one).
PHO data also showed most cases in the province were local transmissions with 23,983 cases, while 917 were locally stranded individuals, 366 returning overseas Filipinos, and 129 authorized persons outside residence (APOR).
The top 10 LGUs with the highest number of active cases are: Oton (635), Pavia (401), Santa Barbara (327), Miag-ao (275), Lambunao (263), Pototan (251), Guimbal (222), San Joaquin (213), Janiuay (212), and Leon (177).
The province is also logging an average of 197 cases per day in the first four days of September.
‘AVOID SOCIAL GATHERINGS’
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. reiterated his appeal to the public to refrain from mass gatherings.
“Pangayuon ko indi anay magtipon ang tawo. Magluwas lang kon indi malikawan parehas sang obra, sa public transportation, public market and religious gatherings,” Defensor said.
“Pero kon indi malikawan nga magtipon siguruhon nga may maskara, mang-disinfect kag manghinaw pirme kag magdistansya. Kon indi malikawan nga maglapitanay gid, indi magdugay,” he added.
According to Defensor, a number of COVID-19 infections occur in the workplace and are brought to the home by workers.
“Ang transmission naton nagahalin sa workplace, nagapauli sa balay. Amo ‘na gina-ayu naton sa workplace ang maayo nga pagsunod sa protocol,” Defensor added.
Another factor for the rise of COVID-19 cases in the last few days was the distribution of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) funds which triggered large gatherings of people, the governor said./PN
