ILOILO CITY –The Department of Health (DOH) has warned that asymptomatic transmission of COVID-19 may rise in Western Visayas region.
This was after data revealed that more than 45 percent of the more than 13,500 active cases in Western Visayas are classified as asymptomatic while 48 percent are mild.
“While they are asymptomatic, we still have to quarantine them to lessen the chances of spreading COVID-19,” said Dr. Daphynie Teorima.
In an online press conference, Teorima said Western Visayas still remains to be classified as high-risk area for COVID-19 and asymptomatic cases are increasing the risk for more local transmissions.
Teorima surmised that the asymptomatic cases may have risen among the workplace, especially as workers keep on going to office to be able to earn a salary.
These individuals who may experience symptoms may not get tested or isolated for economic reasons that they won’t have a salary if they don’t report to work.
Teorima said businesses and other establishments in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental provinces as well as the highly urbanized cities of Iloilo and Bacolod should adjust its work settings that workers won’t lose their jobs.
As of September 6, there are 13,751 active cases of COVID-19 in Western Visayas with 766 new cases.