THE Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas had reported 25 new confirmed coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in Bacolod City Wednesday, March 17, 2021.
This was the highest so far in a long time, specifically since the last week of November 2020.
The last highest number of new positive cases in the city in a day was recorded on November 21 2020, at 28 cases.
Since then, the new Covid-19 cases continued to slide down.
The city had been noted to have a single-digit number of additional cases almost everyday since January this year.
For March alone, Bacolod City logged seven new positive Covid-19 cases on March 1; March 2 and 3 - one each; March 4 - zero; March 5 - six; March 6 - zero; March 7 - three; March 8 to 10 - zero; March 11 - two; March 12 and 13 - zero ; March 14 - two; March 15 - five; and March 16 - two.
For March 17, the DOH reported that the number of new confirmed cases accounts for 17 local cases, seven authorized persons outside residence (Apor), and one locally stranded individual (LSI).
Confirming the sudden spike in new Covid-19 cases in the city, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Task Force Deputy for Medical and Data Analysis Dr. Chris Sorongon said this was the highest number of positive cases in a day after nearly four months.
"We have sustained a single-digit case [during that period]," he added.
Sorongon said they were also worried if the new cases of Covid-19 were caused by a new variant of Covid, which is highly transmissible and highly contagious.
"We appeal to our constituents to tell the truth, if they are not feeling well they should see a doctor," he said.
Sorongon said the City Government is still requiring the negative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results for travelers coming from outside Western Visayas entering the city.
He said the travel between the Cities of Bacolod and Iloilo remained unhampered.
"With this development, let's see what will happen in the next days to come. We will continue our efforts that Bacolodnons will be safe and we will continue our fight until we record the last case of Covid in Bacolod City," Sorongon said.
City Administrator Em Ang said the spike is not yet a cause for "alarm" but certainly a "concern."
Ang, also EOC executive director, said of the 25 new Covid-19 cases, 14 were close contacts.
She said the sudden increase in the number of additional positive cases implied that the public seemed lax in adhering to minimum health protocols.
"There are more mass gatherings and social mixing now," Ang said, as she reminded city residents to keep masks on, maintain social distancing and frequently wash hands despite the government rolling out its vaccination program.
The official urged the public to "avoid mass gatherings until we are vaccinated."
