NEGROS Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson over the weekend urged Negrenses to remain calm after the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed two local cases of the "Delta" Covid-19 variant.

According to Lacson, they have already been advised by the DOH in Western Visayas to make preparations over the possible entry of the Delta variant, which was first detected in India.

Lacson admitted that the country's healthcare system may face difficulties if the Delta variant spreads out of control just like in India and Indonesia.

The governor again appealed for Negrenses to cooperate by wearing their face masks and face shields, as well as observing social distancing.

He also urged residents of the province, especially those under the A2 category (senior citizens), to get and complete their vaccination.

Lacson hoped that the province will be able to achieve herd immunity at the soonest possible time to thwart the spread of the Delta variant.

He is also calling on the national government to immediately open the vaccination program for all categories.

Last week, two persons from Antique were confirmed to have been infected with the Delta variant of Covid-19.

One of the patients later died from the illness, while the other managed to recover.

The DOH is still investigating how the two got infected with the Delta variant even though the two did not have any travel history.