BACOLOD CITY - Seventy-four new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were reported here on Saturday, the highest single-day record of cases here, according to the city government.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia, in a media interview, said that a huge percentage of these cases were overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and locally stranded individuals (LSIs) who were part of the repatriation trips.
Of the total number, 55 were OFWs, five were LSIs, and 14 were local cases.
The latest batch of cases brought the total number of COVID-19 infections in the city to 253.
Leonardia said that these repatriates cannot be stopped from returning home because they are natives and residents of the city, adding that they have every right to be here.
“That’s why we’re enforcing strict measures which can help us contain the spread of the virus,” he added.
Leonardia urged the people in the communities to police their own ranks, especially in areas where lockdowns are being implemented.
“We cannot stop the virus all at once, we need to help each other,” he stressed.
He also reiterated his call to barangay officials to guard their respective areas, and to monitor the movement of people to ensure that nobody violates the health protocols.
“This is not the time for politics. We need to unite to attain our goal of minimizing the spread of COVID-19,” he said, as he stressed that this is everybody’s concern and obligation.
Meanwhile, of the 253 total COVID-19 cases here, 64 have already recovered from the infection, 182 are active cases, while seven have died from the coronavirus.
Despite the increase in number of cases, the city government has extended its modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) from July 31 to August 15.