A total of 15 locally stranded individuals (LSIs) from Cebu have tested positive as the new coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in Western Visayas, the Department of Health-Center for Health Development-Region 6 (DOH-CHD 6) confirmed on Monday.

In a regular virtual presser, Dr. Ma. Sophia Pulmones, head of the Local Health Support Division of DOH-CHD 6, said the 15 are among the 567 total laboratory results released by the Western Visayas Medical Center Sub-National Laboratory and Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital Molecular Laboratory.

Based on the Covid-19 Case Bulletin 88 of the regional health office, six of the 15 new cases are from this city’s Mandurriao district. They include a five-year-old, 22-year-old, 25-year-old and 72-year-old males; and a 24-year-old and 31-year-old females.

Two females aged 30 from this city’s Arevalo district; and a 27-year-old female and 28-year-old male from Molo district here also tested positive for Covid-19.

The region’s new cases also include two LSIs from Iloilo province — a 32-year-old male from Lambunao town and a 25-year-old male from Leon town.

Three others are from Negros Occidental — a 25-year-old female from Sagay City; a 21-year-old male from Hinigaran; and a 23-year-old male from Escalante City.

“All of our LSIs are from Cebu,” Pulmones said.

Meanwhile, the region’s Covid-19 recoveries increased by four. They are a 38-year-old male from Hinigaran, Negros Occidental; and a 52-year-old male from La Paz district, a 23-year-old male from Mandurriao district, and a 33-year-old female from Molo district, all in this city.

Pulmones said all the new recoveries are repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

To date, the region has 197 total confirmed Covid-19 cases. Seventy-two of them are active, 114 have recovered, and 11 died, Pulmones said. (PNA)