ILOILO CITY — Three areas in Western Visayas region have confirmed local transmissions of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The Department of Health (DoH) identified Bacolod City in Negros Island and the towns of Guimbal and Lambunao in Iloilo province as areas where COVID-19 have been locally transmitted.
“This indicates the source of infection is within the reporting location,” said DoH Western Visayas Regional Director Marlyn Convocar in a Wednesday evening bulletin.
In Bacolod City, the region’s first COVID-19 positive case was able to infect a family member. The 56-year-old father, who travelled to London, England, passed on COVID-19 to his 28-year-old son.
Two other COVID-19 cases in Bacolod City are also connected. A 62-year-old died last March 31 from COVID-19 and was in close contact with an immediate family member who also tested positive.
In Guimbal, two COVID-19 positive cases are linked as two infected individuals live in the same house. But the 65-year-old man, who is Iloilo’s first positive case, did not have any recent travel. Instead, he had met with relatives who travelled to Japan.
In Lambunao, two COVID-19 cases are also linked: A 44-year-old female and her 70-year-old father, who died last March 31.
After DoH confirmed cases of COVID-19 local transmissions, the local governments of Bacolod City, Iloilo province and Iloilo City have made it mandatory to wear face masks while in public places.
Meanwhile, positive cases of COVID-19 in Western Visayas region rose to 25 while five have died as of April 1, 2020. (Tara Yap)