NO NEW positive cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the region have been reported as of 5 p.m. Monday, March 30, 2020, but health officials warned not to be complacent about this development.
The Department of Health Central Visayas Center for Health Department through the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center Sub-National Laboratory has released 53 test results Monday and all are negative cases.
Of the 53 test results, 30 are from Eastern Visayas while 23 are from Central Visayas.
The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the region is still at 30 -- one from Bohol, two in Cebu province, four in Negros Oriental, 20 in Cebu City, two in Lapu-Lapu City and one in Mandaue City.
The number of recoveries is still at one as well as the number of deaths at five -- two in Negros Oriental and three in Cebu City.
DOH regional director Jaime Bernadas in a statement said the absence of new cases on Monday should not be a cause to be complacent.
Bernadas explained that test results are dependent on the judgment of doctors if their patients experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 should be swabbed and tested.
"This does not reflect a decrease in cases or an absence of an ongoing transmission in the community," Bernadas said.
He pointed out that contact tracing and implementation of quarantine protocols with strict monitoring reduce the risk of further transmission.
Bernadas again emphasized the need for the public to support containment measures, practice social physical distancing, regular hand washing and self-isolation when not feeling well and consult at the earliest possible time.
Meanwhile, amid reports of harassment and discrimination to frontline health workers, Bernadas appeals for the public to treat medical workers with dignity and respect.
Earlier, Police Regional Office Director Brig. Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro appeals to Cebuanos, "to follow the set of protocols and guidelines. Let us be more cooperative instead of adding burdens to the people tasked to secure you. Stay home and you will be saving lives. (MVG with AYB)