THE number of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in Aklan province continued to rise, as tourists have been allowed to visit Boracay since June 1 this year.
The Provincial Epidemiology Surveillance Unit reported that on June 20, Aklan logged 110 Covid-19 cases, the highest number of cases recorded in one day.
Dr. Cornelio Cuachon of the Provincial Health Office said the surge of cases is being blamed on the gathering of several residents that also resulted in the increase of tourists.
He said some tourists have infected the Boracay locals, and the Boracay police have charged two resorts for illegal gathering.
Cuachon said that last week, several workers at the Caticlan Airport were also infected with the virus, and that several personnel were subjected to quarantine and swab testing.
The airport, however, continues to receive tourists despite the incident.
The Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force has ordered the Caticlan Airport to only cater to tourists coming to Boracay.
Earlier, Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said that several tourists went to Boracay despite knowing that they are coronavirus-positive.
Tourists who faked their RT-PCR test results have been charged.
Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflroes said he hopes the National Government will prioritize vaccination of 40,000 residents of Boracay.
"Once Boracay is fully vaccinated, we are confident of tourism, thus sustaining the economy. Right now, I suspect that we have new Covid-19 variants in our midst but still need to be validated," Miraflores said.
He asked the local government, especially Malay town, to add more quarantine facilities to anticipate the possible increase of Covid-19 patients.
According to the Malay Tourism Office, from June 1 to June 20 this year, Boracay received a record-high (since pandemic) 16,047 tourists, of which 10,220 tourists came from the National Capital Region.
Meanwhile, Malay Mayor Floribar Bautista issued an advisory prohibiting swimming in all beaches of Boracay and Malay. (SunStar Philippines)