Spike in COVID-19 deaths in Region 6 attributed to delayed reporting – DOH

The number COVID-19 deaths recorded in Western Visayas surpassed the number of new cases logged in the region in the past five days.

But the number does not reflect real-time deaths recorded in the region daily.

According to the Department of Health in Western Visayas (DOH)-6, the spike in COVID-19 deaths is due to the delayed reporting of some local government units (LGUs).

The health department made the clarification amid the consistent rise of COVID-19 deaths in the region in the past few days.

Data from the health department revealed that a total of 353 deaths were logged in Region 6 from Nov 22 to 26. This is higher than the number of new cases in the same period at 373.

The highest number of deaths was recorded on Friday at 99.

In its bulletin, the DOH-6 pointed out that deaths were based on the number of death certificates received on the said date.

According to Dr. Bea Camille Natalaray, spokesperson of DOH-6 for this week, some LGUs in the region failed to submit the death certificates of COVID-19 deaths recorded in their municipalities.

As a result, there was delayed reporting of fatalities and the number accumulated based on the daily DOH-6 bulletin.

“May mga ulihii napasa nga mga death certificate sang COVID-19 deaths rason nga nagatingob ang marecord sang DOH-6,” she said in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas Iloilo on Friday.

Out of the 85 deaths recorded on Nov 24, Natalaray clarified that three died last June, four passed away in July; August (12); September (26); October (17); while 23 deaths were recorded from Nov. 1 to 19.

Based on their real-time reporting, Natalaray noted that COVID-19 deaths logged averaged at one to two deaths per day.

COVID-19 fatalities in the region is at 4,170 which is equivalent to 2.9% of the total cases.

Meanwhile, cases in Western Visayas totaled to 145,276 with 137,369 recoveries, and 3,691 active cases as of Nov. 26. (ERS)