Bicol posts highest number of Covid-19 cases in 1 day

THE Department of Health (DOH) in Bicol, on Tuesday, July 7, has recorded 24 new coronavirus (Covid-19) positive cases, the highest number documented in a single day since the start of the pandemic in the region. The spike in Covid-19 cases is taking place in Bicol for the past few weeks now after the Interagency Task Force (IATF) opened up the region’s borders for locally stranded individuals (LSIs) from the National Capital Region (NCR) and Calabarzon areas.

Ernie Vera, DOH regional director in Bicol said the 24 new cases is the highest number recorded in a day as of July 7.

The total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases recorded in Bicol is now 190 with 105 active cases. Of the 24 new cases, 11 came from Masbate, 8 from Camarines Sur, three from Albay and two from Catanduanes.

Vera said the Covid-19 confirmed cases in Bicol region are increasing and the public especially the LSIs, returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and close contacts of confirmed cases must strictly follow the quarantine and isolation procedures to avoid the spread of the virus.

Based on the DOH report released on Tuesday (July 7) evening, all 24 new coronavirus cases are LSIs. In Masbate province, out of the 11 cases, seven are from Aroroy town and four from Batuan town. They all came from NCR.

Similarly, the eight Covid-19 cases in Camarines Sur, including Albay with three cases and Catanduanes with two were all LSIs. The youngest Covid-19 positive is a three-year-old boy from Batuan, who is among the 24 returning LSIs.

Earlier, the Inter-Agency Task Force in Bicol asked Interior Sec. Eduardo M. Año, IATF chairman, to suspend for a month the return of ROFs including LSIs in the region to curtail the spread of the virus.

In Resolution No. 2020-14, the IATF Bicol requested Año to temporarily suspend for a month the return of LSIs, ROF as well as Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APOR).

As of press time, the request of Bicol IATF remains unacted upon by Año.