Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 10) — The Health Department in Eastern Visayas expressed concern on Wednesday as the region hit its highest single-day surge in COVID-19 cases, listing 19 new infections.
Regional health director Minerva Molon said the news is “alarming” since most of the patients were returning residents from areas outside the region.
“In a way talagang masasabi nating alarming…kasi two weeks ago, nakafocus lang tayo sa isang lugar,” said Molon in a press conference. “Eto naman, galing ito sa labas. Kung hindi tayo handa talagang masasabi nating alarming.”
[Translation: In a way we can say it is alarming…because two weeks ago we were only focused on one area. This came from outside the region. If we are not prepared we can say this is alarming.]
On Tuesday, San Isidro town in Northern Samar recorded six new patients, all of whom arrived in the region on May 28 from Metro Manila where they work as construction workers. They arrived through the national government’s “Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa” program, she noted.
The Balik Probinsya program signed last month was intended for “reverse migration” from the National Capital Region and to promote development and opportunities in the countryside.
The workers underwent swab testing upon arrival due to the request of Governor Edwin Ongchuan since they were exposed to a confirmed case from Jaro, Leyte.
Six others in Baybay City, Leyte also tested positive, the Department of Health said. Mayor Jose Carlos said five of them came from Cebu City and arrived on June 7 while one is also a Balik Probinsya beneficiary. The province’s Ormoc City also reported five newly-arrived residents from Cebu City who were confirmed with coronavirus.
The other two cases were in Pastran and Calubian towns, the department said. This brings the region’s cases of infections to 72.
However, Molon noted that local governments were able to follow health protocols.
“The good thing ang ating mga LGU, sa pagsunod sa mga protocols na pinapalabas ng iba’t-ibang ahensiya, nakapaghanda sila, pero sana hindi ganito kabiglaan,” she said.
[Translation: The good thing is our local government units were able to prepare by following protocols from different agencies but I hope it won’t be this sudden.]
Local officials in San Isidro and Baybay City had assured that the newly-infected patients were immediately brought to their cities’ isolation centers.
Tacloban-based journalist Wilmark Amazona contributed to this report.
