TACLOBAN CITY — At least 30 new cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were recorded in Eastern Visayas, bringing the total number of infected persons to 725.
Dr. Minerva Molon, director of the Department of Health in Eastern Visayas (DOH-8), said of the new COVID-19 cases in the region, 18 are from Leyte, seven from Samar, four from Northern Samar, and one from Southern Leyte.
Majority of the new cases involves locally stranded individuals (LSIs).
The towns of Gamay and Lope de Vega, both in Northern Samar, and Mayorga in Leyte logged their first COVID-19 cases.
Gamay and Lope de Vega both have one case each, while Mayorga has two patients.
Dr. Maria Cara Casio, health officer of Mayorga town, said their two cases involve a 21-year-old woman and her 12-year-old nephew.
Casio, in a phone interview, said the two patients have been immediately isolated at their quarantine facility.
Molon urged the local governments to be ready for the arrival of LSIs in the coming weeks under the national government’s “Hatid Tulong” program.
“Please strictly enforce our protocols and prepare for the return of our kababayans,” she said.