The Department of Health (DOH) lowered the COVID-19 risk classification of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental from high to moderate on Monday, October 11, although both areas continue to report triple digit cases daily.
Bacolod City remains the lone area in Western Visayas under Alert Level 4, while Negros Occidental was downgraded to Alert Level 3, Dr. Ma. Jocelyn Te, DOH 6 Medical Officer IV, said in a virtual press briefing.
Both areas received 152,490 doses of COVID-19 vaccines Sunday, October 10.
The COVID-19 average daily attack rate of Negros Occidental of 8.41 percent from September 9 to 22 dropped to 8.12 percent from September 23 to October 6, Te said.
In Bacolod City, the COVID-19 average daily attack rate of 21.76 percent from September 9 to 22 dropped to 21.50 percent from September 23 to October 6, she added.
The DOH also classified Bacolod City as high risk for COVID-19 wards and Intensive Care Unit isolation beds occupancy.
There were 220 new COVID-19 cases and four deaths in Negros Occidental, while Bacolod City has 108 new cases and five deaths, the DOH reported on Monday.
The total active cases in Negros Occidental were 5,059 and in Bacolod City – 2,123, the DOH added.
Western Visayas has been classified as moderate risk along with Guimaras and Iloilo City, Te said.
Classified as COVID-19 low risk areas are Aklan, Antique, Capiz and Iloilo province.
MORE VACCINES
More COVID-19 vaccines arrived in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City on Sunday to boost the vaccination drives in both areas.
Negros Occidental received 77,000 doses of Sinovac and 53,820 doses of Pfizer vaccines, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said.
Bacolod City received 13,480 doses of Sinovac and 8,190 doses of Pfizer vaccines.
Bacolod City’s mall-based vaccination drives are now from Monday to Sunday and barangay vaccination centers have been reopened simultaneously, Em Ang, Emergency Operations Center executive director, said.*