The Bacolod Emergency Operations Center will conduct COVID-19 surveillance testing on close to 700 city policemen during the next two weekends, Dr. Chris Sorongon, EOC deputy for medical data and analysis, said Friday, April 23.
He stressed the need to keep the city’s policemen, who have been frontliners against COVID-19, safe.
The police monitor establishments and public places for compliance of health protocols, curfew and the liquor ban, Sorongon said, adding that so far about nine have tested positive.
Sorongon said a talk firm in Barangay Villamone was temporarily closed down for disinfection Thursday after six employees tested positive for COVID-19. The rest of the employees have been swabbed for COVID-19 tests, he added.
Sorongon reiterated the need to avoid mass gatherings, such as birthdays and other parties, to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
He also stressed the need for the observance of health protocols such as the use of face masks and shields and social distancing at community pantries.
Bacolod City had 66 new COVID-19 cases for a total of 787 active COVID-19 cases on Friday, the Department of Health reported.
The DOH also reported that Negros Occidental had 223 new cases for a total of 2,466 active cases.
Meanwhile, there were 197 close contacts of 53 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Bacolod who were traced by the EOC as of Thursday, April 22.
EOC Contact Tracing head Dr. Rosalie Deocampo said 93 of these close contacts are household members of those who tested positive for COVID-19.
Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia has approved a directive for verified close contacts of COVID-19 patients to undergo RT-PCR tests.
All close contacts who tests negative, are further required to undergo a 14-day home quarantine, to prevent further infection of other individuals.
“A negative test can sometimes be a false assurance,” said EOC executive director and City Administrator Em Ang.
“There are other individuals who have tested positive seven days or even 13 days after their last exposure”, she added.*