TACLOBAN CITY –– The Department of Health in Eastern Visayas (DOH-8) has described as “alarming” the recent rise in the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the region.
As of June 11, the region has 76 COVID-19 cases.
The surge in the number of coronavirus cases was recorded amid the return of overseas workers and locally stranded individuals under the government’s “Balik Probinsiya” program.
“It is alarming. Before, our highest number of cases in a single day was eight,” said Dr. Minerva Molon, the director of the DOH-8.
On Wednesday alone, at least 19 COVID-19 cases were recorded in the region.
Molon said they are expecting the cases to increase as more people are set to return to their respective hometowns in the coming days.
“It’s just a matter of time, especially now that we have opened our gates. But what is good is that our local government units are ready with their quarantine facilities,” she said.
Molon appealed to the public to cooperate and follow the health protocols to help stop the spread of the virus.
Of the region’s 76 COVID-19 cases, Leyte has the highest number of persons infected with the virus with 35, followed by Samar (33), Northern Samar (7), and Biliran, (1).
Leyte was among the provinces in the country to first implement the Balik Probinsya program.