Daily COVID cases in city down to single-digit figures

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

 

Daily cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Iloilo City are down to single-digit figures in the past two days.

As of 12 pm of Nov 22, 2020, the city recorded 4 cases and 6 on Nov 21.

The latest figures drastically went down from 10 cases on Nov 19 and 16 on Nov 20.

Data from the City Hall also indicated that from Nov 1 to 18, the city averaged 13 new cases daily while 97 of the 180 barangays remained COVID-free since Nov 1.

Mayor Jerry Treñas said average daily cases in November (13) declined by 75 percent against October (53).

“We are pleased to record a single digit in COVID-19 cases yesterday (Saturday). We only recorded 6 cases bringing the active cases to 144. 4,110 out of 4,359 cases have recovered. We also collected 41,710 swab specimens. With the lack of a safe and effective vaccine, vigilance is vital to secure the safety of the community. Let us work together to combat the effects COVID-19 virus,” Treñas.

The city expects to lower the cases with the strict implementation of the liquor ban in restaurants and bars and other health protocols.

In compliance with Executive Order No. 187 on the prohibition of serving of alcoholic beverages under General Community Quarantine, joint routine operations were conducted by the Compliance Monitoring Team and Mandurriao police personnel in bars, restobars, videoke bars and similar establishments on Saturday night.

“With the decrease in numbers, we have identified initiatives that have been proven effective against the spread of the virus. The COVID team have identified that compliance, holistic approach in the media, localization of our barangay officials, ordinances on alcohol consumption and funeral, and the fast turnaround time of the results have helped us lower the numbers,” Treñas said.

Meanwhile, new cases in Iloilo province have been fluctuating in November, with average new cases at 20 per day.

The provincial figures based on data from the Department of Health regional office were: