With surging of COVID-19 cases
TACLOBAN CITY-The Department of Health (DOH) renewed its appeal for the public to avoid mass gatherings as it noted continued increase of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the region.
As of Thursday, 72 new COVID-1 cases were added to the region’s cases, raising its total cases to 8,089.
Of the 72 new cases of the region, 38 were from Leyte; 15 from Samar; 10 from Northern Samar; and nine from Eastern Samar.
The DOH, in particular, cited the increasing COVID-19 cases in the provinces of Northern Samar and Eastern Samar.
Mass gathering of people, to include family gathering involving more than 10 people, were cited by the DOH as the most common reason why there is now a surge of COVID-19 cases on these two Samar provinces.
Dr. Exuperia Sabalberino, officer-in-charge of the DOH-8, said that mass gathering of people is considered to be a ‘super spreader’ of COVID-19 which makes the transmission of the dreaded virus faster.
“So, we appeal to our people to avoid any mass gatherings or other high-risk gatherings. Please avoid going to) parties during this time,” she said during a virtual press conference Wednesday.
She noted that even in areas that are under lockdown, COVID-19 cases remain to be high as gatherings among families continue.
Sabalberino also renewed their call for the public to follow the standard health protocols.
“If you are asked to go on quarantine, please quarantine yourself because we are not only after you but we want to protect your family as well for them not to acquire the virus,” she said.
Local transmission has become the main source on the spread of COVID-19 cases in the region as reported by Sabalberino.
Out of the region’s current number of COVID-19 cases, local transmission as source of the virus accounts to 5,963.
