There have been fewer locally stranded individuals arriving in Negros Occidental lately, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said today, December 28.
This is because of the moratoriums on LSI arrivals in the 19 cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental, he said.
Many of the moratoriums are expected to end by early January.
Diaz said because of the drop in LSI arrivals swab samples for COVID-19 tests from air and seaports in the province have not exceeded 500 daily.
Earlier, the samples for COVID-19 testing were from 1,200 to 1,400 a day, he said.
Diaz said the Teresita L. Jalondoni Provincial Hospital molecular laboratory in Silay City staff have been working in three shifts a day to hasten COVID-19 test results to ensure the faster release of returning residents from quarantine sites during the holiday season.
Meanwhile, the molecular laboratory for COVID-19 tests at the Valladolid District Hospital is almost complete, he added.
The building, machines, and medical technologists for the laboratory are ready, they are just waiting for its license to operate, he said.
The laboratory is expected to begin operations by the second or third week of January, Diaz added.*