The OCTA Research Group has tagged Bacolod City as among the areas of concern following the recent spike in coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, cases in the city.

The independent research group, in a report released over the weekend, said the number of COVID-19 cases in Bacolod is concerning since it had an increase of 19% from May 1 to 7.

“Based on history, nakikita natin na itong smaller LGUs (local government units) like Bacolod City, mas mabilis nila nako-control ang situation. ‘Di pa naman alarming ito,” OCTA Research fellow Guido David told ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo yesterday.

During last week’s Talk to the Nation of President Rodrigo Duterte, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III has also classified Bacolod City as a high-risk area for COVID-19.

While vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said that the national government might have to prioritize the injection of Bacolod residents due to recent spike of COVID-19 cases in the city.

Meanwhile, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia requested the national government to allocate more COVID-19 vaccines for the city, citing the urgent need to inoculate more residents amid the continued spike in local cases.

In his May 5, 2021 letter to Galvez Jr., chief implementer of the National Task Force for COVID-19, Leonardia said, “We most respectfully request for an increase in our allocation of vaccines from the national government, as we are being hit hard by this new wave of COVID-19 infections.”

“Ramping up our vaccination program will be critical to saving lives and restoring economic activity in our city,” the mayor added.

The number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in Bacolod, resulting in increases in hospitalizations and deaths, he said, adding hospitals and intensive care units are now nearing their full capacity.

As of yesterday, Bacolod City has a total of 8,019 COVID-19 cases, of which 935 are active, 6,863 recoveries and 221 deaths, according to the Department of Health 6 data./WDJ