Push Admin

Eastern Visayas records 276 new COVID-19 cases, highest daily tally

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<p><strong>(UPDATE) </strong>Eastern Visayas reported 276 new coronavirus infections, its highest daily tally since the pandemic began, official data showed Thursday.</p><p>In a bulletin, the Department of Health said the total confirmed cases in the region rose to 21,452. Deaths stood at 324.</p><p>Leyte province logged the highest number of new infections at 96. It is followed by Northern Samar with 27 new COVID-19 cases, and Southern Leyte and Samar, each recording 21.</p><p>Among cities, Tacloban recorded 44 new confirmed cases while Ormoc had 32.</p><p>The health ministry is alarmed by the uptick in COVID-19 cases in the region, attributing it to increased mobility of people and complacency in following minimum health standards.</p><p>&quot;Please avoid super-spreader events. We observe in social media posts that there are a lot of people almost everywhere. This is not the time to go out,&quot; said Dr. Exuperia Sabalberino, director of DOH-Region 8.</p><p>&quot;Please protect your families. We don’t know what’s behind us. Many are asymptomatic carriers in the region. Our positivity rate is high,” she added.</p><div><strong>VARIANTS OF CONCERN</strong></div><p>The agency also confirmed the presence of &quot;variants of concern&quot; in Eastern Visayas.</p><p>The B.1.1.7 variant of COVID-19 or UK variant is detected from 4 individuals, based from the samples that were sequenced at the Philippine Genome Center on March 4.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/02/21/doh-says-4-samples-from-eastern-visayas-positive-for-uk-covid-19-variant">DOH says 4 samples from Eastern Visayas positive for UK COVID-19 variant</a></li></ul><p>Of the 4 individuals who tested positive for the UK variant, 2 were locally stranded Individuals from Catubig, Northern Samar. Both have undergone and completed the 14-day quarantine period mandatory for LSIs, as they both originated from the capital region and are now tagged as recovered by the Regional Epidemiology Bureau. </p><p>On the other hand, the surveillance team of DOH Eastern Visayas Center for Health Development is currently investigating the other 2 cases from Calbayog City, Samar for a possible case of local transmission. </p><p>The agency appealed to the public to be vigilant and follow health protocols. </p><p>“Please bear in mind that there’s a big probability that variants of concern are here because we are seeing the easy transmissibility of the virus,&quot; said Dr. Marc Steven Capungcol, head of the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Units-Health Emergency Management Services.</p><p>Amid the spike in COVID-19 cases, the major COVID-19 referral hospital in the region has reached its full capacity. The Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center could no longer accommodate COVID-19 patients.</p><p>As of June 1, there are 40 pending referrals in the hospital.</p><div><strong>MASS GATHERINGS BANNED</strong></div><p>Due to the &quot;significant increase&quot; in COVID-19 cases, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez on Wednesday issued an executive order prohibiting gatherings, such as school graduation ceremonies, concerts, sporting events and other similar gatherings.</p><p>All previously issued permits to hold such events are withdrawn, the order read.</p><p>The public is also urged to strictly observe minimum health standards, and their movement is limited to accessing goods and services from permitted establishments.</p><p>Violators may face a fine of up to P50,000 and jail term of not more than 6 months.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1694146" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><div><strong>- Report from Jenette Fariola-Ruedas</strong></div>

<p>Eastern Visayas reported 276 new coronavirus infections, its highest daily tally since the pandemic began, official data showed Thursday.</p>

Eastern Visayas reported 276 new coronavirus infections, its highest daily tally since the pandemic began, official data showed Thursday.