NEGROS Occidental has remained on top of the list among the six provinces and two highly urbanized cities in Western Visayas having the most number of confirmed and active Covid-19 cases, as of December 26, 2020.
The Department of Health (DOH) Covid-19 Center for Health Development reported that Negros Occidental logged 6,335 confirmed cases, of which 5,079 are local cases, with Bacolod City trailing behind with 5,588 cases, of which 5,192 are local.
The DOH-Western Visayas report added that Negros Occidental has 396 active cases, with 88 active cases remaining in Bacolod City.
The surge in the number of returning locally stranded individuals (LSIs) has prompted the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force to approve the requests of 19 local government units for a moratorium on inbound travel of LSIs to Negros Occidental from January 3 to 5 next year.
Iloilo City ranked third with 4,627 confirmed cases, of which 4,430 are local. It still has 131 active cases, with 4,352 recoveries and 144 deaths.
Of the 21,401 cases all over Western Visayas, including provinces also of Iloilo, Guimaras, Antique, Capiz and Aklan, there are still 887 active cases, with 19,878 recoveries and 631 deaths.
On the other hand, the Provincial Incident Management Team reported that the municipalities of Don Salvador Benedicto and Pulupandan in Negros Occidental are Covid-19-free, with no single active case, as of December 26.
Bago City has the most number of active cases with 24, followed by Victorias City with 23 and San Carlos City with 21, the PIMT report added.
Towns and cities with lower numbers of active cases are Candoni (1), Sipalay City (3), Manapla (5) and La Castellana (5).
Other areas in Negros Occidental with active cases are Sagay City (17); Moises Padilla and Isabela (15 each), Silay (14); Cauayan, EB Magalona and Kabankalan City (12 each); Binalbagan, La Carlota–Ilog and Talisay City (11 each); Himamaylan City and Hinigaran (11 each); Cadiz City (9); Escalante City and Valladolid (8 each); Hinobaan, Murcia and Toboso (7 each), and in Pontevedra (6).