Only 468 confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in Eastern Visayas are active, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Monday.

The number represents 5.19 percent of the region’s 9,016 total recorded cases since March, said DOH Eastern Visayas information officer John Paul Roca in a statement.

“Active cases are those admitted or isolated in health or quarantine facilities and have not recovered yet from the disease,” he said.

To date, 93.74 percent of the region’s total cases or 8,452 patients have recovered from the illness, while 96 have died of Covid-19 complications, mostly senior citizens and persons with comorbidities.

Roca said the region has maintained a high recovery rate as 98.8 percent of its confirmed patients were either asymptomatic or had mild symptoms, while the rest were severe or critical cases.

Despite the decrease in Covid-19 cases in the region these past weeks, Roca urged the public to remain vigilant and strictly practice the minimum health standards to break the chain of transmission, especially in participating in activities during the holiday season.

He warned the higher number of people in a social gathering and the longer the duration of the activity, the higher the risk.

Roca reiterated its information drive dubbed “BIDA Solusyon”, which promotes four key behaviors to reduce the possible transmission of the virus.

BIDA stands for Bawal walang mask (Not wearing a face mask is not allowed); I-sanitize ang mga kamay at iwas hawak sa mga bagay (Sanitize your hands and avoid touching surfaces); Dumistansya ng isang metro (Keep a one-meter distance from other people); and Alamin ang totoong impormasyon (Know the factual information).

Meanwhile, in its latest case bulletin, the health department reported nine new cases in Leyte, four in Samar, and one each in Eastern Samar, and Tacloban City, the regional capital. (PNA)