BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Western Visayas yesterday logged 170 new COVID-19 cases, including the 11 cases in Negros Occidental and nine in highly-urbanized Bacolod City.
Of the new cases, 57 were recorded in Iloilo City, and 39 in Iloilo province, Capiz -18, Aklan – 15, Antique – 14, and six in Guimaras, according to Department of Health- Western Visayas records.
There are now 2,017 active cases in the entire region, with Iloilo topping the provinces and highly urbanized cities with the most cases at 972, excluding the 111 cases logged in Iloilo City, as of August 2.
On the other hand, the Provincial Incident Management Team reported that COVID-19 cases in Negros Occidental yesterday went down to 102, compared 110 on July 31, with 22 recoveries and one fatality.
As experts would say, Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson disclosed that having been vaccinated is a big thing, adding that most getting sick are experiencing mild cases and are confident of healing themselves in their respective homes.
Lacson also issued an executive order, extending the Alert Level 1 classification of EB Magalona, Pulupandan, San Enrique, Candoni, Pontevedra, Valladolid, Ilog, and the cities of Victorias, Sagay, La Carlota, Cadiz and Talisay, until Aug. 15 this year.
On the other hand, the 19 other LGUs have to remain under Alert Level 2, Lacson, in his issued executive order, further said.
Meanwhile, Lacson, who led yesterday the celebration of National Blood Donors’ Month and Blood Olympics 2022 at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City, said that to prevent a significant draw down of the blood supply, a well-organized blood service is necessary to meet blood necessities especially in times of crisis.
He lauded the blood service facilities and stakeholders, the Negros First Provincial Blood Center, Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, Philippine National Red Cross – Negros Occidental Chapter, Provincial Health Office, Bacolod City Health Office, and the 31 LGUs for their contribution and effort in the blood donation campaign.
“Engaging blood donors remains to be our lifeline to be able to provide for those in dire need of blood,” Lacson said. *
