Eastern Visayas (Region 8) has noted a significant drop in the number of confirmed coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases for the past two weeks, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Wednesday.

Based on the monitoring of the regional epidemiology and surveillance unit (RESU), the region’s daily average for new coronavirus cases has dropped by almost 50 percent, from 65 to 30 new cases per day for the past two weeks.

To date, less than one for every 100,000 population in the region is infected by the virus, said Roderick Boyd Cerro, DOH-8 RESU chief.

“We have been intensifying our efforts to contain the spread of the virus and coordinating with local government units for contact tracing and specimen collection for testing,” he said in a virtual presser.

Since March, the region has confirmed a total of 9,123 cases, including 8,590 recoveries and 98 deaths, based on its latest case bulletin.

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

To date, 435 patients or 4.77 percent of the region’s confirmed cases are active.

Despite the decrease in Covid-19 cases in the region, the DOH 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.

Cerro said the traveling public must also avoid eating and talking inside public transportation, properly wear face masks and shields, and observe physical distancing and hand hygiene.

He also reminded drivers to regularly disinfect vehicles and ensure proper ventilation. (PNA)