The COVID-19 numbers in Subic Bay Freeport have started to improve as the economic zone registered zero new cases in recent days. (Photo By Joanna Rose Aglibot)
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — After experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases for nearly a month, this economic zone did not record any new infections in the last two days, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) announced Friday (Feb.11).
In a statement, SBMA Chair and Administrator Wilma Eisma said the improving COVID-19 situation here was due to the recovery of more virus-infected patients and the agency’s vaccination drive.
“This is a good sign. It looks like the Omicron surge has peaked last month, and that our vaccination program is really helping to arrest local infections,” Eisma said.
She added: “Still, there is no reason to put our guards down. We must continue observing health protocols because this is the surest way out of the pandemic.”
Citing data on Wednesday, Eisma said 39 free port residents, 14 transient workers, and 27 SBMA employees recently recovered from the viral disease after undergoing quarantine and treatment. The free port, however, still has two active COVID-19 cases who are both SBMA employees.
Dr. Solomon Jacalne, who heads the SBMA Public Health and Safety Department, said the virus surge here last month was consistent with the findings of the Department of Health (DOH) that the community transmission of the highly transmissible Omicron variant began in the second week of January.
“According to the DOH, 80 percent of the cases now are caused by the Omicron variant,” Jacalne said.
He added: “Again, this was consistent with our monitoring reports that those infected in Subic either travelled outside of the Freeport, or had some visitors coming in during the holidays.”
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