The Department of Health confirmed a decrease of new coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in Eastern Visayas this week.

DOH Eastern Visayas Regional Director Minerva Molon said in a virtual press briefing on Wednesday that from Sept. 9 to 15, the region recorded 382 new infections, or 13.57 percent lower than the 442 cases recorded in the previous week.

“This is a good sign that our compliance to the minimum health standards has been effective, but this is not a reason for us to be complacent,” Molon told reporters.

This is the first time the region’s six provinces noted a drop based on their weekly monitoring since they noted a surge of cases in the past two months.

As of Wednesday night, the region has recorded 3,957 confirmed Covid-19 cases, including 3,352 recoveries and 40 deaths. There are only 565 remaining active cases in the region.

Of all the cases, 1,364 are in Samar province; 1,235 in Leyte; 672 in Tacloban City; 265 in Southern Leyte; 145 in Northern Samar; 121 in Ormoc City; 103 in Biliran; and 52 in Eastern Samar.

Seven were added to the list of Covid-19 deaths on Wednesday, including the five patients from Tacloban City and one patient each in Catbalogan City in Samar and Babatngon in Leyte.

Meanwhile, the health department reported that most cases this week were recorded in Tacloban City, Palo, Jaro, Babatngon, Burauen, Capoocan, and Julita in Leyte; Catbalogan City, Calbayog City, and Pinabacdao in Samar; Sogod in Southern Leyte; and Catarman in Northern Samar. (PNA)