A least 607 out of 646 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) patients in Eastern Visayas have already recovered, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Monday.

DOH Eastern Visayas Regional director Minerva Molon said these patients will now be discharged from isolation or quarantine facilities and reintegrated into their respective communities.

“If they have been isolated in local facilities within the prescribed period, then no need for them to undergo home quarantine. But then, they are strictly advised to follow minimum health standards, such as wearing of (a) face mask, physical distancing, proper hygiene, among others,” Molon said in a press statement.

The total recoveries represent 94 percent of the total confirmed cases in the region, she added.

Based on the DOH monitoring report, 595 of the total reported cases in the region are asymptomatic, 48 have mild symptoms, and three are severe cases.

“Some 40 patients were hospitalized. Others were managed in community isolation facilities, but they are transferred to a higher health care facility if further management is needed,” Molon said.

The surge of coronavirus infections in the region started on June 1 due to testing of returning residents, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and locally stranded individuals (LSI), mostly from Metro Manila and Cebu.

Of the region’s total confirmed cases, 426 are LSIs, 52 are OFWs, three are Balik Probinsya, Balik Pag-asa program beneficiaries while the remaining 165 are local cases.

The regional office here said community transmission was prevented despite the rising confirmed cases since local government units immediately isolated these returnees upon their arrival.

Molon said a total 104 health workers have been infected since the outbreak, of which 103 already recovered and one remains in isolation.

“Let’s be vigilant and continue to practice the infection prevention and control measures. Following them is still the most effective defense against the virus,” she added.

Overall, 388 cases have been reported from Leyte, 119 in Samar, 88 in Southern Leyte, 26 in Biliran, 22 in Northern Samar, and three in Eastern Samar.

To date, the region has 36 active Covid-19 cases and three deaths from Leyte, Biliran, and Samar, the DOH said. (PNA)