Four towns of Negros Occidental have been declared COVID-free by the Provincial Health Office today.
These LGUs, the PHO said, are Salvador Benedicto, Pulupandan, Calatrava, and Moises Padilla.
The PHO made the claim during the 4th Quarter Joint meeting of the Peace and Order Council and the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council of Negros Occidental at the Capitol Social Hall.
On the other hand, Cadiz City has the most number of active COVID cases with 109, from Oct. 24 to Nov. 6, the PHO report showed.
Talisay City remains on top of the list of cities and towns with the most number of confirmed COVID cases with 604, followed by Silay City, 575; and Cadiz City, 355, the report also said.
Of the 5,055 confirmed COVID cases in Negros Occidental, as of Nov. 8, a total of 4,139 already recovered.
There are 773 active cases and 143 deaths, the PHO added.
In reaction to reports that the COVID data of the PHO and local government units do not synchronize, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, who presided the joint meeting, has required all LGUs to report COVID recoveries on a daily basis so that the PHO can update the active cases in each town and city.
“If there is a discrepancy in the figure, we, in the province, are ready to correct it,” he added.
Noting that the number of positive cases in Negros Occidental was low in the past four or five days, Lacson said he hopes this will be maintained.
“What is important is the need for testing, with regular swabbing, and the province’s molecular laboratory is ready to accept specimens,” he added.
As to the funds of every LGU to fight COVID, Lacson said he hopes they can make it until the end of the year.
He is optimistic that the proposed 2021 budget of P4.4 billion will be approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan by December. -GPB
