By Antonio Colina IV DAVAO CITY — The number of confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Davao Region has already reached 222 as of May 20, 2020, according to the Department of Health (DOH)-Davao. Davao City reported 200 cases, comprising 90-percent of the total cases in the region, making it the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in Mindanao. The province of Davao del Norte recorded 14 cases, two in Davao del Sur, two in Davao de Oro, three in Davao Oriental, and one in Davao Occidental. DOH-Davao recorded 25 deaths, 22 of which came from Davao City, two from Davao del Norte, and one from Davao Occidental. The region listed 117 patients who have already recovered from the infection. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte had earlier discouraged people from going to the city to protect themselves from the infection and likewise advised residents e to avoid leaving the city to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to other areas. “It (the infection) is already there outside, and it’s in the people who are moving around. The infection is also moving around. That’s the reason why we advise that you do not go out of Davao City because all of us here are possible carriers. You might bring it outside. Just avoid traveling outside Davao, although it’s not prohibited because travel is allowed under the general community quarantine. But we advise the people to not come here as the chances of getting infected are high because the positive cases here are still increasing,” she said.