A total of 28 out of 61 Bacolod City barangays have been COVID-free for the past 14 days, the Emergency Operations Center Task Force (EOC-TF) reported.

These barangays are 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, 34, 36, 37, 38, 41, Felisa, Montevista, and Alangilan.

This latest statistics translates into 45.9 percent, or almost half, of Bacolod barangays without COVID-19 transmission for two weeks.

Last October 19, EOC-TF has initially recorded 19 Covid-free barangays for a two-week period.

“I hope the increasing numbers of barangays that are COVID-free will continue,” said City Administrator Em Ang, executive director and deputy for administration and operations of the EOC-TF.

According to Ang, the increase or decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases in Bacolod depends on the people’s cooperation with local policies and observance of the minimum health protocols.

“Lately, most cases are from close contacts. We’d like to remind the people that mass gatherings or celebrations like birthdays are common venue for the spreading of COVID-19. Based on the reports of the EOC, there is a pattern for infection during these gatherings. We have to be vigilant and careful so we can maintain and sustain the lowering of cases,” Ang stressed.

She added, “As what our dearest mayor [Evelio Leonardia] always says during this crisis: ‘This is a time for unity. We must never be complacent.’”/WDJ