By Dolly Yasa
HIMAMAYLAN City, Negros Occ. – Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said Wednesday there is nothing to be ashamed of the fact that the province has the most number of coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 cases in Western Visayas.
Data from the Department of Health Region 6 indicated that the province of Negros Occidental has been leading the region in COVID-19 cases for several weeks now.
As of Nov 24, 2020, Negros Occidental has 5,471 total cases followed by Bacolod City with 5,294, Iloilo City with 4,310, Capiz-1,028, Aklan-237, Guimaras-208, and Antique-77.
“We shouldn’t be ashamed of that. It also tells us that we are constantly swabbing, we are constantly testing and tracing and that is still the strategy right now that we should continue testing and contact tracing,” Lacson said.
He also reminded everyone to continue observing the minimum health standards such as wearing of face mask, face shield, social distancing, and frequent handwashing.
“That doesn’t change, COVID is still around. Probably it will change only when the vaccine is available but right now nothing is very clear if our country will be provided with the vaccine as soon as possible,” Lacson said.
The latest COVID fatality in the province was a 45-year-old job order worker at the fish and vegetable section of the Food Terminal Market of Negros Occidental (FITCOM).
Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said the fatality, who did not manifest any symptom, collapsed at his residence Sunday and was taken to the hospital.
He succumbed to the virus Tuesday.
Lacson said the death of the Capitol worker is a reminder that COVID-19 is still around.
The FITCOM was shut down for disinfection and about 20 workers and guards at the affected section were swabbed for COVID-19 tests and isolated, Diaz said.
Contact tracing is also underway.
