ILOILO City – This city recorded 496 new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Jan. 19 – the highest number of single day infections confirmed since the pandemic started in 2020.
Of these cases, 341 were local transmission, data from the City Health Office’s (CHO) City Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (CESU) showed.
According to Jeck Conlu, the city government’s COVID-19 team spokesperson and head of the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office (PSTMO), the surge in cases may be due to the more transmissible Omicron variant of the virus causing COVID-19.
From Jan. 1, 2022 to Jan. 19, the city recorded 2,708 new COVID-19 cases – sharply higher than last month’s (December 2021) 62 new cases recorded.
“Since nagsugod ang 2022 tama kadasig gid sang infection sa aton. That’s why ang COVID team nagaduda na gani nga basi Omicron na ‘ni. Kadasig maglaton,” Conlu told Panay News on Thursday afternoon.
He, however, pointed out that the cases mostly experienced mild symptoms or none at all (asymptomatic).
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough.
Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell.
As of Jan. 19, the total confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city since 2020 hit 24,313, data from the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6 showed. Of these, 21,316 have recovered while 629 died, leaving the city with 2,359 active cases.
GOV’T AGENCIES NOT SPARED
According to Conlu, personnel of several national government agencies with local offices here got infected, too. These were the following:
* Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) – 21
* Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – over 20
* Iloilo City Commission on Elections (Comelec) – 10
* Office of Civil Defense (OCD) – 11
“Daw lain gid ya nga kadasig ang transmission subong compared to last year,” said Conlu.
But he also pointed out that, “Kalabanan sa ila asymptomatic to mild symptoms. So far daw wala pa sang reported severe case kay tanan halos vaccinated.”
The Iloilo City Mayor’s Office was temporarily closed yesterday for disinfection. According to Mayor Jerry Treñas, several personnel tested positive for COVID-19.
The mayor himself took an RT-PCR test. He tested negative for coronavirus disease.
Conlu reminded the public to continue practicing the health protocols – wearing of facemask, observing physical distancing and proper washing/disinfection of hands.
“Gina-ayo man namon nga magpaiway anay kon indi importante, indi essential ang aton kadtaon. Kon puede sa balay lang, ilabi na gid ang kabataan naton. Magkooperar kag magbuligay kita,” said Conlu.
He also urged the unvaccinated to get the jab in any of the following vaccination sites: SM City Iloilo, Megaworld, University of San Agustin, Robinsons Place Jaro, and all district health centers./PN
