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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider E. Visayas now battling more infectious second wave of COVID-19 -- DOH

E. Visayas now battling more infectious second wave of COVID-19 -- DOH

Published Aug 20, 2020 08:43 am

TACLOBAN City- The Department of Health (DOH-8) has bared that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Eastern Visayas is more infectious now that the region is on its second wave of cases.

Dr. Minerva Molon, DOH-8 regional director has attributed the significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases to the arrival of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and local transmission of health workers unlike the first wave which was mostly infected returning residents.

At least 168 health workers in the region have been infected by the deadly virus, 53 of which are active.

"We have noticed that our local cases are going up because we are experiencing pockets of limited community transmission," Boyd Cerro, Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Chief said.

RESU reported that the first wave of cases occurred on May 31 to June 20, while the second wave was reported to have started on July 12 to 28 after the two-week moratorium of the Hatid-Tulong Program of the government.

DOH-8 data also revealed the clustering of cases in at least 11 villages in Alangalang, Palo, Tanauan, and Ormoc City in Leyte; Basey, Catbalogan City, and Villareal in Samar province.

Molon added that they are investigating possible community transmission in some local government units (LGUs).

She clarified that the clustering of cases means having two or more confirmed COVID-19 cases in one geographic location, which can be controlled, unlike community transmission wherein the source can no longer be identified.

The region has a total of 1,763 cases with 1,177 recoveries, 577 active cases, and seven deaths.

Leyte province recorded the most number of cases among the six provinces with 735 cases, 479 in Samar, 189 in Southern Leyte, 61 in Biliran, 54 in Northern Samar, and 30 in Eastern Samar.

Tacloban City has 120 cases and Ormoc City has reported a total of 95 cases.

Molon urged the public to be mindful of their actions and consider themselves as carriers of the virus.

“If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, you have to immediately self-isolate and strictly practice the minimum health standards such as wearing face masks, physical distancing, hand hygiene, among others,” she said.

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