Western Visayas has recorded a 92.6-percent recovery rate equivalent to 21,079 of the 22, 762 total cumulative cases of confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the region.

Dr. Jane Juanico, head of the infectious disease cluster of the Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH CHD6), said in a phone interview Tuesday the remaining active cases are at 4.32 percent or equivalent to 984.

“We have seen this trending since late November to December and even up to this time, the number of recovered cases is improving,” she said.

Juanico added that almost all provinces in the region contributed to the high recoveries, with a recovery rate of over 90 percent in each province.

This can be attributed, she said, to the stricter minimum public health standards, observance of the “BIDA Solusyon sa Covid-19” during the holiday season, and the obedient general public to prevent the spread of the virus.

BIDA stands for Bawal walang mask, I-sanitize ang mga kamay, iwas-hawak sa mga bagay, Dumitansya ng isang metro and Alamin ang totoong impormasyon.

She added that some local government units (LGUs) in the region have even tested beyond the priority sub-groups. With more tests and fewer confirmed cases, then at some given time, the number of cases of Covid-19 is declining.

Currently, however, she said they are also coordinating with provincial governments regarding areas where there is identified spike of cases for them to immediately address pockets of outbreaks at the municipality level.

The DOH regional case bulletin released on Monday showed that of the 58 confirmed cases, 35 were from Iloilo province, 14 from Iloilo City, six from Bacolod City, two from Guimaras, and one from Aklan.

Juanico said the effort against Covid-19 is a “life-long commitment” and it did not end in December 2020.

“This is our life-long commitment to our community, our younger generation to provide them with safer communities, especially against Covid-19. If we as adults observe minimum health standards, then at our level we can already stop the further transmission of Covid-19. In that way, we can protect our children and vulnerable household members,” she said.
Meanwhile, as of Monday, the Covid-19 fatalities in the region already reached 693. (PNA)