Central Visayas logs 409 new COVID-19 cases

CEBU, Philippines — Central Visayas recorded 409 new coronavirus cases on February 19, bringing the total number of infections to 35,201.

Bulk or 192 of the additional cases come from Cebu City, case bulletin no. 246 of the Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas showed.

Other cases were reported in Cebu province (92), Mandaue City (61), Lapu-Lapu City (53), Negros Oriental (eight), Bohol (two), and Siquijor (one).

Also, the region reported two more deaths—two from Cebu City and one from Bohol.

“The additional deaths in the report are not due to overnight spike in deaths but due to more accurate data collection and validating efforts. Not all those deaths occurred today but occurred more than a week ago,” DOH-7 said.

As for the number of recoveries, 317 were reported. The additional recoveries were from Cebu City (157), Cebu province (85), Mandaue City (49), Negros Oriental (14), Bohol (11), and Siquijor (one).

In total, the region logged 35,201 confirmed COVID cases— 5,685 active cases, 27,987 recoveries, and 1,529 deaths.

Cebu City logged the most number of active cases at 2,897, followed by Cebu at 1,137, Mandaue City at 675, Lapu-Lapu City at 535, Negros Oriental at 306, Bohol at 119, and Siquijor at one.

Meanwhile, priests at the Alliance of Two Hearts Parish in Banawa, Cebu City were swabbed yesterday after their colleague was admitted Wednesday to a private hospital in Cebu City for manifesting coronavirus symptoms.

According to the parish’s social media page, the health condition of the admitted priest is improving.

The convent staff, on the other hand, are currently undergoing home quarantine.

The priests assured that church services remain unhampered despite the situation.

On the other hand, the archdiocese’s Commission on the Laity and other religious groups initiated a prayer brigade for the healing and fast recovery of Archbishop Jose Palma and other COVID patients.

Palma was tested positive for COVID. T

The prelate is in stable condition, although experiencing cough and fatigue. He is now undergoing treatment at the Perpetual Succour Hospital. — Rowena Capistrano, KQD (FREEMAN)