GUIMARAS – From “minimal risk”, this province’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) status has been raised to high risk.
According to Department of Health (DOH) Region 6’s non-communicable disease sector head Dr. Bea Camille Fillaro-Natalaray, the province logged 1.24 percent average daily attack rate per 100,000 population in the recent one to two weeks – higher than the 0.96 percent in the previous three to four weeks.
The province also logged a 420 percent case growth rate in the past two weeks.
Guimaras is the only area in the region classified as high risk. Bacolod City, previously classified a high-risk area, is now deemed a “low risk” for COVID-19. Its average daily attack rate slowed down, according to the DOH.
As of May 17, 2021, Guimaras had 444 cumulative COVID-19 positive cases – 54 active, 382 recovered and eight dead.
Generally, Western Visayas is a low-risk area for COVID-19, the DOH said.
The provinces of Aklan and Iloilo and Iloilo City are deemed of moderate risk while Antique, Capiz and Negros Occidental are low risk.
The increase in COVID-19 cases in the province-island prompted Guimaras governor Samuel Gumarin to scrap all face-to-face activities of the Manggahan Festival 2021 this May 20 to 22.
The provincial government earlier announced the festival is pushing through – with virtual and physical activities.
Manggahan Festival is a yearly month-long (every May) socio-cultural celebration of Guimaras’ culture, traditions and economy anchored on one of its most successful industries – mango cultivation.
Yesterday, Gumarin issued an executive order cancelling all events that would draw large crowds./PN
