250 negative results out of 272 tested for COVID-19 at VSMMC; 25 cases in Central Visayas

THE VICENTE Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City, the designated subnational laboratory for COVID-19 testing in the Visayas, reported 250 negative results out of the 272 it conducted in its first four days of operations starting middle of last week. The Department of Health regional office (DoH-7), in a statement late Saturday, said Central Visayas had 25 confirmed COVID-19 cases as of March 28, with 18 in Cebu City. Two are in Lapu-Lapu City and another two, who have both died, were in Negros Oriental. There is one each in Bohol, who has already recovered, Mandaue City, and Cebu province. “One person can undergo more than one test if warranted,” DoH-7 Regional Director Jaime S. Bernadas said in the statement. “We again call on all our citizens to remain calm and follow existing measures currently set in place local authorities. We understand the disruption this has caused our lives but let us remember that measures will only work if we all strictly and conscientiously follow containment and preventive measures,” he said.

WESTERN/EASTERN VISYAS

In Western Visayas, there were 16 confirmed COVID-19 patients as of Saturday afternoon. These are in the following areas based on patient’s residence: Bacolod with 5; Iloilo province, 4; Iloilo City, 2; Aklan, 3; Capiz, 1; and Negros Occidental, 1. The Western Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City is being readied as a COVID-19 testing facility. In Eastern Visayas, the confirmed case remains at one with 379 patients under investigation.