MASS GATHERING. Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson (2nd from right) with Senator Francis Tolentino (right) and Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco (3rd from right) during the opening of the 27th Panaad sa Negros Festival at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City on Monday (April 17, 2023). On Wednesday (April 19), Lacson encouraged the public to use face masks in crowded places as the province’s Covid-19 positivity rate has surpassed the 5 percent threshold. (Photo courtesy of PIO Negros Occidental)
BACOLOD CITY – Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson on Wednesday encouraged the public to use face masks in crowded places as the province’s coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) positivity rate has surpassed the 5 percent threshold.
“Although it’s optional, we still encourage wearing face masks especially if you are in a crowded area,” he told reporters.
Lacson also welcomed the move of Cadiz City to enforce anew the wearing of face masks in government offices to ensure people’s health and safety.
“I am in favor of that. As you can see, your Governor never stopped wearing face mask,” he said.
The governor, however, said he hopes Covid-19 cases would not increase once again to make him consider reintroducing the wearing of masks at the capitol offices.
With Negros Occidental now logging a moderate positivity rate of 7.5 percent, there is a need to be vigilant, he added.
On Tuesday, the Department of Health (DOH) said it is not considering the reimplementation of the face mask mandate despite the increase in Covid-19 cases.
DOH officer-in-charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that everybody is encouraged even before to know when to wear face masks.
Earlier guidelines advised the elderly, people with comorbidities and individuals in crowded areas and places with poor ventilation to wear a face mask for protection.
Meanwhile, the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in this city announced that elective surgeries have resumed on Wednesday after a thorough investigation and disinfection of the operating room complex to contain the transmission of the Covid-19 virus.
“The spread of the Covid-19 infection is currently under control. All operating personnel were swabbed and all high-risk personnel were already quarantine,” the hospital management said in a statement. (PNA)
