More than half of COVID cases in W. Visayas remain ‘active’

More than half of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the region remain active, the Department of Health-Center for Health Development Western Visayas (DOH-CHD 6) confirmed on Wednesday.

Active COVID-19 cases (patients who have yet to recover) totaled to 182 or 55 percent of the 332 total confirmed cases, according to Dr. Renilyn Reyes, head of the Public Health Program Development of DOH-CHD 6.

Reyes said 86 percent of the active cases in the region are returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and locally stranded individuals (LSIs).

“We have a total of 182 active cases or 55 percent of the total COVID-19 cases in the region. Out of this number, 156 or 86 percent are OFWs and LSIs,” she said in a virtual press briefing on Wednesday.

Reyes also reported that Iloilo province has the highest number of non-OFW and non-LSI active cases with 15, followed by Iloilo City with 10 and Antique with one active case. The active cases include 25 patients who are admitted in a health facility; eight under home quarantine; and 149 under facility quarantine.

On Wednesday, Region 6 logged eight new additional COVID-19 cases who are all repatriates.

The new cases include six LSIS from La Carlota City, Negros Occidental, a 31-year-old female (WV Patient No. 325); a 32-year-old female from Bago City, Negros Occidental (WV Patient No. 326); a 22-year-old female from Sagay City, Negros Occidental (WV Patient No.327); a 38-year-old male from Bago City, Negros Occidental (WV Patient No.328); a 57-year-old male from Silay City, Negros Occidental (WV Patient No. 329); a 30-year-old female from La Carlota City, Negros Occidental (WV Patient No.330) and a 22-year-old male from Pototan, Iloilo (WV Patient No.331).

A 25-year-old male OFW repatriate from Passi City, Iloilo (WV Patient No. 332) also tested positive for COVID-19.

As of Wednesday, the total registered cases in the region jumped to 332 composed largely of repatriates who numbered at 224.

COVID-19 recoveries in the region totaled to 168 with seven new recoveries recorded on Wednesday.

The new recoveries include a 24-year-old female LSI from Talisay City, Negros Occidental; a 63-year-old female OFW repatriate from Pulupandan, Negros Occidnetal; a 50-year-old male OFW repatriate from Silay City, Negros Occidental; a 43-year-old male OFW repatriate from La Carlota City, Negros Occidental; a 35-year-old male OFW repatriate from Binalbagan, Negros Occidental; a 46-year-old male LSI from San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.