ILOILO – Cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are rising and the acceleration rate is high, according to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
He shrugged off claims that the country’s COVID-19 case curve has flattened already, or bent.
“I don’t think nag-flatten. Cases are increasing,” said Defensor, and at a faster rate.
As of yesterday, the Department of Health (DOH) reported an additional 2,498 individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 which causes COVID-19, bringing the country’s total caseload to 61,266 with 1,643 deaths.
In this province as of yesterday, COVID-19 cases climbed to 219 (61 indigenous transmissions and 158 repatriates).
“Sa pag-intindi ko – and I can be wrong – daw madasig-dasig gani kag daku sang increase. Ang acceleration mataas everyday,” said Defensor. “Nationwide, may mga adlaw nga 700 kita (new cases). Mga four weeks ago ara lang sa 300-plus.”
In Western Visayas, DOH yesterday reported the region’s total cases at 699 with 12 deaths.
Here’s the breakdown:
* Aklan – six
* Antique – 15
* Capiz – six
* Guimaras – zero
* Iloilo Province – 61
* Negros Occidental – 26
* Bacolod City – 18
* Iloilo City – 46
* Repatriates – 521
A group of experts from the University of the Philippines earlier said the country will reach 60,000 coronavirus cases by the end of July. It later on issued a new study adjusting the projection to at least 70,000 in light of the recent spike in infections.
Worldwide, the disease has hit over 13.5 million people and killed around 584,000, based on the Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 global tracker.
On Wednesday, Health secretary Francisco Duque III claimed the Philippines “successfully” flattened the curve of coronavirus infections. He later clarified the country “bent” rather than flattened the curve.
Twelve new cases were reported in Region 6 yesterday. These were the following:
* 26-year-old male from Victorias City, Negros Occidental (Patient No. 683)
* 30-year-old female from Bacolod City (Patient No. 689), repatriated overseas worker
* 27-year-old male from Pavia, Iloilo (Patient No. 690), locally stranded individual (LSI)
* 32-year-old male from Pavia, Iloilo (Patient No. 691), LSI
* 37-year-old male from EB Magalona, Negros Occidental (Patient No. 692), LSI
* 37-year-old male from La Castellana, Negros Occidental (Patient No. 693) LSI
* 52-year-old male from Lapuz, Iloilo City (Patient No. 694), LSI
* 53-year-old male from Bacolod City (Patient No. 695)
* 36-year-old female from Bacolod City (Patient No. 696), OFW
* 37-year-old female from Bacolod City (Patient No. 697), OFW
* 53-year-old male from Bacolod City (Patient No. 698), OFW
* 38-year-old female from Balasan, Iloilo (Patient No. 699), LSI/PN
