Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 14) — After a recent surge in COVID-19 cases, the Department of Health Region 8 confirmed the local transmission of the coronavirus in three areas, all in the province of Leyte.
DOH-Eastern Visayas Director Minerva Molon said the affected areas were the municipalities of La Paz and Hilongos, and Tacloban City, where recent confirmed cases have no recent travel history nor had contact with COVID-19 patients.
Among the new cases are healthcare workers in La Paz and Tacloban City, and a resident in Hilongos who was exposed to a Severe Acute Respiratory Infection patient.
Given the situation, Molon called for the enhancement of the region’s contact tracing procedures, while batting for the mandatory isolation of those entering the region.
Molon added that the testing laboratory at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center is now better prepared for the expected rise in the number of specimens coming from the region’s different provinces.
On Saturday, DOH-8 reported 66 new cases, with the province of Eastern Samar recording its first case – a 30-year-old male from the municipality of Mercedes. Ormoc City, meanwhile, tallied 30 new cases, its highest increase in a single day.
Most of the region’s new cases are locally stranded individuals, returning overseas Filipino workers, healthcare workers, and residents with exposure to COVID-19 patients.
READ: Eastern Samar records its first COVID-19 case
