ILOILO City – The total number of patients who recovered from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crossed the number of active cases in Western Visayas for the first time since the start of the outbreak in March.
The total number of recoveries now stands at 471 after 58 additional survivors were recorded on Monday, July 20, according to the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 in COVID-19 Case Bulletin No. 116.
However, the latest data also bared 34 new confirmed cases, pushing the total number to 797.
Specimens from these latest patients were tested at the Western Visayas Medical Center sub-national laboratory in Iloilo City, Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) Molecular Laboratory in Bacolod City, Qualimed Hospital Molecular Laboratory, and the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital Molecular Laboratory in Silay City, Negros Occidental.
Dr. Ma. Sophia Pulmones, head of the Local Health Support Division of the DOH-6, also noted the passing of two COVID-19 patients on Sunday and another yesterday.
These three deaths brought to 15 the number of Region 6 residents who succumbed to the viral disease.
They were the following:
* 52-year-old male from Sta. Barbara, Iloilo (Patient No. 336)
* 70-year-old-male from Jaro, Iloilo City (Patient No. 732)
* 64-year-old male from Bacolod City (Patient No. 754)
The number of deaths was relatively low vis-à-vis the 797 recorded COVID-19 cases in Western Visayas, which is comprised of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental provinces as well as the highly urbanized cities of Iloilo and Bacolod.
Here’s the breakdown of COVID-19 cases in Region 6 as of Monday:
* Aklan – six
* Antique – 15
* Capiz – six
* Guimaras – zero
* Iloilo Province – 67
* Negros Occidental – 32
* Bacolod City – 27
* Iloilo City – 49
* Repatriates – 595
COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that has never been encountered before. Like other coronaviruses, it has transferred to humans from animals.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
According to the WHO, the most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness and a dry cough.
WHO said about 80 percent of people who get COVID-19 experience a mild case – about as serious as a regular cold – and recover without needing any special treatment.
About one in six people, the WHO said, become seriously ill. The elderly and people with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, or chronic respiratory conditions, are at a greater risk of serious illness from COVID-19./PN
