- GILBERT BAYORAN
COVID-19 cases in Negros Occidental are now on the rise, but not alarming, said Dr. Girlie Pinongan, Provincial Health Office OIC said Wednesday, May 3.
From January to April 24 this year, the PHO logged 505 COVID cases in Negros Occidental, with nine deaths.
Pinongan, however, stressed that the rise in COVID infections is not alarming as patients only exhibited mild symptoms.
Independent pandemic monitor Octa Research reported that the COVID-19 positivity rate in Negros Occidental further increased, from 10.9 percent on April 22, to 14.4 percent, as of April 29. The World Health Organization’s ideal threshold for positivity rate is at five percent.
Pinongan reported that 12 COVID patients are being treated at the Cadiz District Hospital, which is the designated hospital for coronavirus disease admissions.
She also reported that majority of the patients who died had comorbidities and were unvaccinated.
The Department of Health earlier assured the public that there is no need to panic as the healthcare utilization rate remains low all over the country.
Pinongan joined Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson and Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Benitez in calling for the wearing of face masks, especially in public transportation and crowded places./GB
