The Department of Health-Zamboanga Peninsula (DOH-9) on Tuesday reported 56,256 Covid-19 recoveries or 94.49 percent recovery rate since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

Dr. Jemuel Cristobal, DOH-9 medical officer, said the region has so far recorded a total of 59,533 Covid-19 infections, including 840 active cases and 2,437 deaths.

Cristobal said 68.2 percent of the active cases are asymptomatic, 26.1 percent with mild symptoms, 4.4 percent moderate, 1.2 percent severe, and 0.1 percent critical.

He said the data showed Zamboanga City has the highest recovered cases of 26,349 although it remains on top of the list with the most number of Covid-19 infections of 27,928. The city has also the highest mortality rate with 1,084 and has 495 active cases.

Zamboanga del Sur has the second highest confirmed cases of 13,720, with 13,067 recoveries, 170 active cases, and 483 deaths followed by Zamboanga del Norte with a total of 11,504 confirmed cases, including 10,847 recoveries, 70 active cases, and 587 deaths.

On the other hand, Zamboanga Sibugay province has so far recorded a total of 4,787 Covid-19 cases with 4,470 recoveries, 95 active cases, and 222 deaths while Isabela City is at the bottom with 1,594 confirmed cases, with only 10 active cases, and 61 deaths.

“We should continue to keep our guards up because these statistics are very fragile. It can spike at any time,” Cristobal said.

“Our priority is to continue to vaccinate as many as possible in order to reach mass population immunity the soonest possible time,” he added.

Banks ops return to normal

In Zamboanga City, the banking industry has returned to normal operations despite the Alert Level 3 restrictions.

In a statement, Zamboanga Bankers and Financiers Association (ZBFA) president Inocente Locson said the local banks have started operating until 3 p.m. with some extending until 4:30 p.m.

Locson said a total of 78 bank branches and financing institutions have been operating in the city.

“The money in circulation in the city is huge,” he said.

He said he is optimistic that more money will be in circulation once the local election campaign period kicks off on March 25 as candidates will have to spend on their campaign materials. (PNA)