AT LEAST 18 employees at the Bacolod Government Center have tested positive for Sars-CoV-2, which causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) official said Monday, April 5.
Dr. Edwin Miraflor, officer-in-charge of CHO, said that four city employees tested positive for the virus on Sunday, April 4, and another 14 employees tested positive for Covid-19 last week.
He said of the number, 14 of them were assigned at the City Engineer's Office (CEO). All of them were already transferred to the city's quarantine facility.
He added the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) also conducted the disinfection at the Bacolod Government Center building during the Holy Week.
Miraflor noted that about 65 employees assigned at CEO, City Treasurer's Office, Sangguniang Panlungsod, Emergency Operations Center, City Mayor's Office and Registrar's Office also joined the surveillance testing at the Bacolod Government Center Monday, April 5.
As of April 4, Bacolod City has a total of 6, 179 Covid-19 cases. Of the number, 5,708 patients already recovered, 281 are still active, and 190 had died.
Due to the sudden spike of Covid-19 cases in Bacolod City, Miraflor said he is hopeful that Bacolod City will not be placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
"We are praying that we will not reach this quarantine status and that's the reason why we are doing our best to prevent the spread of the virus," he said.
He added they cannot conclude yet if there is already a new variant of Covid-19 in Bacolod City.
Miraflor also urged the public to register in their barangays for the Covid-19 vaccination.