By Tara Yap
ILOILO CITY—The recent homecoming of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) has resulted in the significant increase in positive cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Western Visayas region, which recorded its highest single-day confirmed cases with 25 on Wednesday, June 24.
Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) secure arrival of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) in Iloilo City. (PCG Iloilo / MANILA BULLETIN)
As of 11 a.m., June 24, the Department of Health in Region 6 (DOH-6) found that all 25 new cases, out of the 228 total cases recorded in Western Visayas region, were all LSIs.
Since last week, LSIs accounted for majority of the newer cases than repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the region comprising of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental provinces and the highly urbanized cities of Bacolod.
All 15 new COVID-19 cases recorded last June 22 were also LSIs, while five out of the six new cases recorded last June 23 were also LSIs.
Dr. Ma. Sophia Pulmones, regional chief of DOH’s Local Health Support Division (LHSD), said majority of the LSIs who recently tested positive returned home from Cebu City, which has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
Out of the 25 new cases recorded Wednesday, 21 returned home in Negros Occidental while three returned to Iloilo City and another in Bacolod City.
The test results released Wednesday did not include the thousands of LSIs who have arrived in airports and seaports since Monday.
The DOH-6 is expecting an increase in COVID-19 cases in the region with more arrivals of LSIs.
Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) secure arrival of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) in Iloilo City. (PCG Iloilo / MANILA BULLETIN)
As of 11 a.m., June 24, the Department of Health in Region 6 (DOH-6) found that all 25 new cases, out of the 228 total cases recorded in Western Visayas region, were all LSIs.
Since last week, LSIs accounted for majority of the newer cases than repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the region comprising of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental provinces and the highly urbanized cities of Bacolod.
All 15 new COVID-19 cases recorded last June 22 were also LSIs, while five out of the six new cases recorded last June 23 were also LSIs.
Dr. Ma. Sophia Pulmones, regional chief of DOH’s Local Health Support Division (LHSD), said majority of the LSIs who recently tested positive returned home from Cebu City, which has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
Out of the 25 new cases recorded Wednesday, 21 returned home in Negros Occidental while three returned to Iloilo City and another in Bacolod City.
The test results released Wednesday did not include the thousands of LSIs who have arrived in airports and seaports since Monday.
The DOH-6 is expecting an increase in COVID-19 cases in the region with more arrivals of LSIs.