SAN JOSE, Antique – In Antique province, 80.74 percent or 977 of its 1,210 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases have recovered.
According to the Antique Provincial Health Office (APHO), active cases are currently down to 171 (14.13 percent) while the death toll is 62 (5.12 percent).
But data also showed that most of the cases were local transmission (1,165), followed by returning overseas Filipinos (seven), locally stranded individuals (17), and cases contracted outside the province (21).
Municipalities with current active cases are the following:
* San Jose (37)
* Valderrama (28)
* Sibalom (26)
* Hamtic (23)
* San Remegio (15)
* Barbaza (10)
* Bugasong (seven)
* Patnongon (six)
* Belison (four)
* Tobias Fornier (four)
* Culasi (three)
* Tibiao (three)
* Anini-y (two)
* Pandan (two)
* Laua-an (one)
Gov. Rhodora Cadiao believed recent cock derbies in San Jose and Sibalom caused the surge in cases but she was hopeful that infections would slow down after the derbies were temporarily stopped.
She cited the cooperation shown by Antiqueños with local authorities to curb the rise in cases.
“Grabe ang amon contact tracing, especially in San Jose, and may lockdown man…Medyo nagkaroon ng panic ang mga tawo kasi duro nagkaramatay so medyo nagsunod sila sa protocols. They stayed at home for two weeks. The following of protocols is very important sa totoo lang,” said Cadiao.
She acknowledged the adverse effects of the pandemic to Antique’s economy. Strict quarantine measures restricted people’s movements, thereby slowing down business activities.
“Naluoy kami sa mga tawo nadulaan sang obra kay nagsirado mga bars bangod sang liquor ban (for example),” said Cadiao.
On May 15 she issued Executive Order No. 58-A, Series of 2021 lifting the liquor ban.
Antique remains under Modified General Community Quarantine.
The curfew is from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
People entering Antique from outside Region 6 must have negative COVID-19 test results (via reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction), must secure a Notice of Coordination from the local government of their destinations, and use the S-pass system for contact tracing.
Restaurants, resorts and hotels are allowed to operate but should only accommodate a volume of clients half of their premises’ maximum capacity./PN
