TACLOBAN CITY (PNA) – The Department of Health (DOH) reported 43 new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Eastern Visayas, bringing the region’s total to 1,464, as of Thursday night.
DOH Eastern Visayas Director Minerva Molon said in a press statement, 31 new cases came from the 381 swab results from the state-run regional Covid-19 testing center here.
Samar has 20 new cases – 10 in Catbalogan City, four in San Sebastian, three in Pagsanghan, two in Marabut, and one in Motiong, all locally stranded individuals (LSIs), mostly from Metro Manila.
Six more residents of Northern Samar have been infected – four LSIs and a health worker in Catarman, and another LSI in Lope de Vega.
Leyte recorded four new infections – two in Carigara, and one each in Tacloban City and Sta. Fe, while San Julian in Eastern Samar had one new case.
Meanwhile, the privately-managed Divine Word hospital Virology laboratory released 276 swab results, 12 of which were new confirmed cases, all from Leyte, Molon said.
Three new cases were reported in Palo town, two each in Hilongos, Palompon, and Carigara, and one each in Baybay City, Abuyog, and Leyte.
“All of them are LSIs from Mandaue, Cebu, Laguna, Tondo, Rizal, Caloocan, and Parañaque,” Molon said.
With the increase of COVID-19 cases in the region, the DOH urged the public to remain vigilant and strictly observe minimum health standards such as wearing face mask, hand sanitation, and physical distancing.
Molon reiterated the health department’s information campaign, dubbed “Bida Solusyon”, which promotes four key behaviors to reduce the possible transmission of Covid-19.
“Always bear in mind BIDA or B, Bawal walang mask (Not wearing a face mask is not allowed); I, I-sanitize and mga kamay at iwas hawak sa mga bagay (Sanitize your hands and avoid touching surfaces); D, Dumistansiya ng isang metro (Keep your distance at one meter); and A, Alamin ang totoong impormasyon (Know the factual information),” she said.
To date, the region has 971 total recoveries, 487 active cases, and six deaths due to Covid-19 complications, based on the DOH monitoring report.