THE number of people infected with the new virus that causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in Eastern Visayas has climbed to 72.
The Department of Health (DOH)-Eastern Visayas Center for Health Development reported Wednesday, June 10, that 19 new Covid-19 cases were recorded in the region in the last 24 hours.
This brought the region's total to 72, with 34 recoveries, as of June 10.
The DOH regional office said the Eastern Visayas Covid-19 Testing Center released Tuesday 195 results and 18 were positive for coronavirus.
The other positive result was released by the Divine Word Hospital Virology Laboratory, which tested 65 samples, of which 62 were negative and three we
re positive. Two of the positive results, however, belong to patients from Baybay City and Tolosa, Leyte who underwent repeat tests.
According to the DOH, the 19 new cases include patients from Pastrana, Leyte (1); Baybay City (6); San Isidro, Northern Samar (6); Ormoc City (5); and Calubian, Leyte (1).
Dr. Marc Steven Capungcol, head of Health Emergency Management-Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit, said the active cases in the region (38 total) are all asymptomatic and have been monitored in their respective community isolation units.
Almost all of the patients are beneficiaries of Balik Probinsya program and locally stranded individuals who came from Manila and Cebu.
The DOH regional office assured the public that the new cases are not a case of local transmission.
"Upon arrival of these patients in the region, they were immediately quarantined, so there is no chance for them to be in contact with the general public. They are also being watched by their respective LGUs," said DOH-Eastern Visayas Director Minerva Molon.
To prevent the spread of the virus, Molon again advised the public to follow health protocols, such as wearing of face mask and observing social distancing and proper hygiene. (LMY)