DR. Arniel Laurence Portuguez, City Health officer, confirmed Wednesday, July 15, the absence of coronavirus-positive individuals within San Carlos City.

Portuguez said it is the government's protocol that all infected patients will be placed in the province's isolation facility in the municipality of E.B. Magalona, whereas locally stranded individuals (LSIs) waiting for their swab test results are placed in Cadiz City's isolation facility.

As of Wednesday, he said the city has 16 positive cases, two of which are returning OFWs while the rest are LSIs from the province of Cebu and Manila who are all asymptomatic or showing no symptoms of the virus.

Portuguez said that from the total positive cases, two have already recovered and are currently under 14-day quarantine and closely monitored by their office.

He hoped that there will be no additional positive cases but added that it is also expected to increase, as influx of LSIs will resume in the province of Negros Occidental, especially if returning individuals are infected from their points of origin.

Portuguez advised residents to take precautionary measures; conform to the local government's orders like wearing facemask, social distancing and hand sanitizing; and avoid crowded places, exercise healthy lifestyle to boost the immune system and pray for guidance.

Meanwhile, about 350 persons under monitoring and waiting for their swab test results are being placed in the different isolation facilities in the city while the quarantine facility at the Sports Complex vicinity is still under construction. (PR)