ILOILO City – Western Visayas logged 178 new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) yesterday, breaking its previous biggest single-day record of 130.
These brought the region’s cumulative cases to 2,307, data from the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 showed.
One hundred fifty-seven of the new cases were local transmissions, according to Dr. Jocelyn Te, spokesperson of DOH-6.
The fresh cases were from the following areas:
* Iloilo City – 93
* Iloilo Province – 40
* Negros Occidental – 23
* Bacolod City – 12
* Guimaras – three
* Antique – three
* Aklan – two
* Capiz – one
One case was tagged to another region, said Te.
Thirteen of the 178 new cases were locally stranded individuals; six were repatriated overseas Filipinos, and two were authorized persons outside residence.
But there was good news from DOH-6, too. It recorded 36 more COVID-19 patients who recovered, bringing the region’s total number of recovered cases to 1,072.
With the death toll at 33, the region currently has 1,203 active cases.
COVID-1) is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China in December 2019.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough.
Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell.
The World Health Organization recommended the following practices to avoid COVID-19:
* Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
* Maintain at least one meter (three feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
* Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
* Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
* Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.
* If possible, avoid traveling to places – especially if you are an older person or have diabetes, heart or lung disease./PN
