DUMAGUETE CITY –– Thirteen more stranded locals tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Negros Oriental.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, Dr. Liland Estacion, assistant provincial health officer, said two of the new cases involved children who arrived from Manila in Barangay Cangmating in Sibulan town.
They tested positive after coming in contact with their mother who was also infected with the coronavirus.
Dauin town, known for its beach resorts and diving spot, also reported its first coronavirus case involving a 45-year-old man from Cavite.
The other cities and towns in Negros Oriental that also reported new cases of COVID-19 are Mabinay, Canlaon City, Tayasan town, Bindoy, and Amlan. There are currently 26 active COVID-19 cases in Negros Oriental, Estacion said.
The active cases count went down from 37 to 26 after 23 new patients recovered from the virus. Eighteen of the new recoveries involved soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 302nd Infantry Brigade, who earlier tested positive for the virus after coming from Cebu City.
Stranded locals from Bais City, Jimalalud, and Sta. Catalina towns have also recovered, leaving these localities with zero active COVID-19 cases for now.
Of the 25 cities and towns in Negros Oriental, only five remain free from any COVID-19 case: Bacong, Valencia, Siaton, San Jose, and Pamplona.