Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson called on Negrenses Monday, April 5, to add more protection as COVID-19 active cases rose to 474 in Negros Occidental on Sunday.
This is a cause for concern, he said.
“Even when inside the house wear masks, and if you go out I strongly recommend that you wear double masks,” Lacson said.
Negrenses should avoid mass gatherings, celebrations and travelling in big groups, he said.
“Stay in your locality, let’s not travel,” he said.
He said the local government units (LGUs) in the province are doing everything possible to bring down the number of COVID-19 cases.
Lacson also appealed to the Department of Education to allow the use of their buildings as quarantine facilities if requests are made by local government officials.
COVID-19 cases in Negros Occidental hit 474, with San Carlos City registering the highest number at 119 on Sunday, April 4, the Provincial Incident Management Team (PIMT) reported.
And on Monday, the cases in San Carlos City increased further to 140.
Six LGUs – Candoni, Hinoba-an, La Castellana, Manapla, Moises Padilla and Salvador Benedicto had no active COVID-1 9 active cases as of Sunday, the PIMT reported.
The other COVID-19 active cases were in Cadiz City – 55, La Carlota City – 41, Silay City – 29, Bago City – 24, Talisay City – 22, Ilog – 17, Kabankalan City and Toboso -16 each, Escalante City – 15;
Binalbagan -14, Pulupandan – 13, Sagay City and Sipalay City -12 each, Calatrava and Isabela – 10 each, Valladolid – 9, Victorias City and Cauayan – 8 each, Pontevedra – 7, EB Magalona, Murcia and Hinigaran – 4 each, San Enrique – 3, and Himamaylan City – 2.
The provincial government is still studying if it is necessary to reduce its workforce amid the rise in COVID-19 cases, Lacson said.*