55 Negros travelers test positive for COVID-19

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines — Fifty-five travelers who arrived at the Bacolod-Silay Airport in the past two days tested positive for COVID-19.

Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force on COVID-19 action officer Rayfrando Diaz said the 55, who were found infected after they underwent antigen testing, were brought to a quarantine facility in Silay City.

Provincial health officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang requested Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson to allow confirmatory reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests on the passengers.

Lacson issued an executive order on Thursday requiring all travelers from areas under Alert Level 3 to present a negative RT-PCR test result taken 72 hours prior to arrival.

The EO discourages travel to and from areas under Alert Level 3 even as intrazonal and interzonal movements are allowed.

In Ormoc City, Mayor Richard Gomez issued an EO requiring those arriving by air or sea to present a QR code, a valid ID and vaccination card or a negative swab test taken 72 hours prior to arrival.

The Department of Health-Eastern Visayas logged a .02 increase in the positivity rate in the region, with 76 active cases recorded as of Wednesday.

In Davao City, a ban on welcomes and send-offs at airports, seaports and bus terminals is strictly enforced.

City tourism operations office head Generose Tecson reminded the public that Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio ordered a permanent ban on greeters or send-off groups at transport hubs since February last year. – Miriam Desacada, Edith Regalado