Quezon province logs 34 new COVID-19 cases; total now at 738

LUCENA CITY –– The number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Quezon province has surged anew with 34 new cases in less than a day, bringing the total number of confirmed virus carriers to 738 as of Wednesday.

The spike was recorded only from the last posting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday to 10 a.m. on Wednesday. The previous daily count released by the provincial health office was 14 new cases.

The town of Mauban, located along the coast of Lamon Bay, logged the highest number among the municipalities with COVID-19 patients. It has ten new cases, bringing to 74 the confirmed cases in the town since only July 25, with 30 recoveries.

Gumaca Mayor Webster Letargo asked his townmates not to be alarmed with the addition of six new cases, which brought to 24 the number of COVID-19 patients in the town, with only two recoveries.

“Don’t panic. It will do no good to all,” Letargo appealed on his social media page.

He urged the public to strictly observe all safety and health protocols to prevent the spread of the virus.

Quezon, which reverted to general community quarantine from August 16 to 21, recorded 353 recoveries and 24 deaths as of Wednesday with another new fatality from Tiaong town on Tuesday.

At least 362 of the cases were recorded from August 1 to 18.

The province has 361 active cases as of Wednesday morning, the Integrated Provincial Health Office reported at 10 a.m. On August 1, the number of active virus carriers was only 154.

The COVID-19 cases in July also showed a sudden spike with 187 cases when compared to the 160 cases recorded from March 16 to June 30.

The rising number of COVID-19 cases have been seriously putting medical and health workers in the province at risk.

Dr. Rolando Padre, director of Quezon Medical Center (QMC), the biggest province-run hospital in Lucena City, the capital, reported that they have 95 patients in their 115 beds COVID-19 area.

“Forty-nine of them are positives that include three QMC doctors, two nurses, and two non-nurses,” he said.

Padre also disclosed that eight QMC doctors, 28 nurses, and 25 nursing aides are under quarantine.

“The continuing rise in the number of confirmed cases is alarming and poses immense threats to the lives and safety of the people,” Governor Danilo Suarez said on Sunday.

LZB