Mahogany Avenue, Central Philippine State University | Photo courtesy of CPSU’s Official Website
BACOLOD CITY––A university dean and a doctor in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, died due to COVID-19.
Dr. Lorina Baylon Crobes, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the Central Philippine State University (CPSU), and Dr. Gladys Patindol of the Kabankalan District Hospital in Barangay Tabugon died Nov. 1, according to city information officer Jake Carlyne Gonzales.
CPSU president Aladino Moraca said two other faculty members had been quarantined while the university was closed until Nov. 15 for disinfection.
In a Facebook post, members of the CPSU main campus graduate school expressed sorrow over the death of Crobes.
“We are deeply saddened by the news about the loss of Dr. Crobes. She was a blessing in our life as a friend, professor, sister, and coworker,” they said.
The Kabankalan government said they, too, were saddened by the death of Patindol.
“She was a compassionate doctor, and we will always be thankful for the excellent service she rendered,” it said.
Kabankalan Mayor Pedro Zayco Jr. and Vice Mayor Raul Rivera called on the barangay captains to help in the intensified vaccination campaign of the local government.
“The vaccination campaign against COVID-19 will be brought by the city government to the barangays,” Zayco said.
“The role of barangay officials is important as we try to reach herd immunity,” he added.
Herd immunity happens when 70 percent of its population is immune to a specific disease.
Kabankalan, a first-class component city in Negros Occidental province, has a population of 200,198, according to the 2020 census.
It is the second-most populous city in the province next to Bacolod.
As of Nov. 2, Kabankalan has 61 active cases of COVID-19.
Since the pandemic started in March 2020, the city has recorded 2,374 cases with 2,202 recoveries and 111 deaths.