59 Negros Occidental areas shut off from outside world for having COVID-19 PUI

BACOLOD CITY – At least 59 areas in Negros Occidental have been shut off from the rest of the province after authorities found cases of persons under investigation, or those with COVID-19 symptoms, in them.

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said the areas were now being branded as hot zones or areas where cases of PUI were confirmed or where at least five persons under monitoring, or those with no symptoms, were living.

The 59 hot zones in 14 towns and cities of the province would be on extreme lockdown for 14 days to prevent transmission.

This meant no resident of the areas would be allowed to go out of their homes for any reason and households would have to rely on food to be delivered by the provincial government to them.

As of March 31, the province, including Bacolod City, has reported six COVID-19 cases, 221 PUI and 17,196 PUM.

Lacson said extreme measures were needed to stop the virus that causes COVID-19 from spreading.

All  PUI would be removed from their communities and brought to the Yolanda Housing Project at the village of Sto. Nino in EB Magalona town, which had been designated as PUI quarantine center of the province.

Each PUI would be assigned a housing unit for the duration of the 14-day quarantine.

Lacson said those who would be put on quarantine would have beds, communication equipment, personal protective equipment, emergency medicine, supplies, hygiene kits and thermal gun scanners.

The facility can accommodate more than 400 persons.

Former Rep. Alfredo Benitez said the Department of Health is sending 300 COVID-19 testing kits so the PUI and members of their families and health workers who came into contact with the PUI can be tested.

Edited by TSB