Health officer, 70 workers at Negros Occidental hospitals test positive for COVID

BACOLOD CITY – The provincial health officer and 70 employees of eight Negros Occidental hospitals have tested positive for COVID-19.

Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said provincial health officer, Dr. Ernell Tumimbang, contracted the virus after he was exposed to his son, who was infected with COVID-19.

The COVID-19 vaccination drive at the Negros Residences in Bacolod City was temporarily suspended, but the vaccine rollout in the towns and cities of Negros Occidental will continue.

Among the hospitals whose workers tested positive for COVID-19 were the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital, Cadiz District Hospital, Valladolid District Hospital, Valeriano M. Gatuslao Memorial District Hospital, Lorenzo D. Zayco District Hospital, Ignacio L. Arroyo Memorial District Hospital, Don Salvador Benedicto District Hospital, and Merceditas Memorial District Hospital.

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said they would continue their contact tracing efforts and treating those infected with the virus.

“More importantly, when the vaccine is available, people should really take it, especially those senior citizens who still refuse to be vaccinated,” he said.

Negros Occidental had 3,963 active COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday, September 28.

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For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

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