Negros Occidental COVID-19 cases rise nearly 100%

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — Active COVID cases in Negros Occidental went up by almost 100 percent, with nine deaths in the past two weeks, according to the Provincial Incident Management Team.

Records showed that active cases rose to 174 on Oct. 28, compared to 86 on Oct. 14.

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said most of the patients were confined at the Cadiz District Hospital (CDH), the designated COVID facility in the province.

Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force action officer Rayfrando Diaz said 48 of the 85 patients being treated at the CDH were confirmed to be COVID-positive while 37 others were suspected to be infected with the virus.

Health authorities warned the public against a possible surge in COVID cases with the lifting of the face mask mandate in indoor settings, citing the detection of new Omicron subvariants in the country.

Department of Health officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said daily COVID cases may hit as high as 18,000 by the end of the year.

President Marcos issued on Friday an executive order easing the indoor mask rule, except in medical facilities and public transportation.