EASTERN Visayas logged another 648 new cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19), bringing the total number of cases in the region to 55,660, as of Wednesday, January 19, 2022.

The fresh cases were recorded out of 1,021 laboratory test results in three Covid-19 laboratories in the region, while three samples were submitted to Philippine Red Cross Molecular Laboratory.

The figures represent a 63 percent positivity rate, according to the regional health department.

The 648 new cases are from Tacloban City (144), Ormoc City (16), Province of Leyte (185), Southern Leyte (9), Eastern Samar (53), Northern Samar (142), and Biliran (2).

“We are still in the middle of our fight against Covid-19! With the emergence and detection of Covid-19 variants in the country, the Department of Health continues to urge everyone to unite in our goal to survive and win against Covid-19,” the health department in Eastern Visayas said.

Meanwhile, 45,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines and 1,500 doses of Gamaleya’s Sputnik V vaccines were also delivered in Eastern Visayas on Tuesday, January 18.

According to the regional health department, a direct delivery was processed for Palompon with 15,000 doses of AstraZeneca, and for Ormoc City with the remaining 30,000 doses of AstraZeneca and 1,500 doses of Gamaleya’s Sputnik V vaccines, respectively.

The region’s total number of Covid-19 recoveries is at 51,816 (93.09 percent), while the total number of deaths is at 633 (1.14 percent).

As of Wednesday, Eastern Visayas has 3,211 (5.77 percent) total active Covid-19 cases. (SunStar Philippines)