BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is reminding Negrenses to continue being vigilant after the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in the province increased anew in July.
On Monday night, active cases totaled 46, after hitting 48 the day before on July 17, data of the Provincial Incident Management Team showed.
Active cases breached the 40-mark on July 14, after only 21 cases were reported on July 1.
“We hear a lot of information that people we know are getting hit by Covid-19. Let’s be aware of that and continue to protect ourselves,” the governor said.
Last week, Lacson raised the possibility the province could hit a hundred active cases soon.
“Be vigilant, the fact that there’s already an uptick in Covid-19 cases here in Negros Occidental,” he added.
The governor urged Negrenses to continue wearing face masks for protection.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, provincial health officer, said Negros Occidental continues to have low vaccination turn-out among the senior citizens as well as among the 5- to 11-year-olds.
He noted that it could be a concern among the school children since the Department of Education has given the go-signal to proceed with the face-to-face classes.
As of July 18, data from the Department of Health-Western Visayas showed that Negros Occidental has fully vaccinated 138,128 individuals in the 60 and above age group, representing 51.23 percent of the target 269,602 vaccinees.
In the 5 to 11 age group, some 81,371 minors, or only 22.40 percent of the target 363,249 have been fully vaccinated. (PNA)
