COVID-19 MONITORING. The Department of Health Eastern Visayas regional office building in Palo, Leyte. The health department on Saturday (Dec. 12, 2020) reported 121 new coronavirus disease cases, bringing the region's total to 9,421, with 8,773 recoveries and 103 deaths. (PNA file photo)
TACLOBAN CITY – Eastern Visayas has 121 new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases, bringing the region's cumulative total to 9,421 as of Saturday.
In its latest case bulletin, the Department of Health (DOH) regional office here reported 52 new cases in Leyte, 20 in Tacloban City, 19 in Samar, 15 in Ormoc City, 12 in Eastern Samar, and one each in Northern Samar and Southern Leyte.
An authorized person outside residence from the province of Cotabato also tested positive in the region.
They are part of the 929 samples released by the three testing laboratories in the region. These are the Eastern Visayas Regional Covid-19 Testing Center and Divine World Hospital Virology Laboratory, both in this city, and the Ormoc Molecular Diagnostic Center.
The health department said 98.8 percent of the region's confirmed patients are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, while the rest are severe or critical cases.
The region's 103 recorded deaths since March, mostly senior citizens and persons with comorbidities, the DOH said.
To date, the region has 545 active cases and 8,773 recoveries, as 56 more patients have recovered from the illness.
With this current situation, 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 this holiday season.
The health department 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); Dumistansiya ng isang metro (Keep a one-meter distance from other people); and Alamin ang totoong impormasyon (Know the factual information). (PNA)
