Eastern Visayas fears new COVID surge
Samar has the most number of infections at 1,464, followed by Leyte at 1,373 and Tacloban City with 715
The Department of Health Eastern Visayas (DoH-EV) reported 96 new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections on Tuesday, the highest daily total in over two weeks, drawing fears that another surge of cases may be in the offing.
Three cities — Catbalogan with 25 new cases, Calbayog with 18 and Tacloban with 12 — were the areas with most new infections, accounting for 57 percent of the region’s total.
DoH-EV said at least six of the new cases involved healthcare workers while all new cases in Catbalogan City were local transmissions.
As of Tuesday, Eastern Visayas still has 532 active cases out of the confirmed 4,263. There were 378 positive cases last week from 4,796 tested.
Samar has the most number of infections at 1,464, followed by Leyte at 1,373 and Tacloban City with 715. Locally stranded individuals make up 38.4 percent of confirmed cases, or a total of 1,637.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases placed Eastern Visayas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) until 30 September, except for Tacloban City which is on stricter GCQ status.
But with barely a week remaining before the month ends, residents in the region said it will be best to remain on MGCQ or impose a stricter quarantine status.
While there had been a decrease in the number of daily cases in cities like Tacloban and Catbalogan during the last two weeks, infections spiked in Sogod, Southern Leyte and Pinabacdao and Calbayog City in Samar.
Eastern Visayas is also grappling with red tide as 12 bays have been declared contaminated by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
Gathering, selling and eating all types of shellfishes are prohibited.