By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The fatality rate of COVID-19 patients at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in Bacolod City is currently running at 21 percent.

Dr. Julius Drilon, CLMMRH medical director, told DYHB RMN-Bacolod yesterday morning that most of the fatalities are aged 65 to 71 years old.

The COVID-19 positivity rate of the samples being submitted at their molecular laboratory is also running at 26 percent, although Drilon pointed out that it dropped significantly compared to the past few months wherein the positivity rate peaked at 63 percent.

However, he noted most of the samples being sent to them are those belonging to the 35-45 year old age group, or those tagged under the working class.

With the Delta variant of COVID-19 now in the doorstep of Negros Occidental, Drilon said he won’t be surprised if Bacolod City or the province itself records its first case as travel to Panay island still remains.

Previously, leisure travel between Iloilo and Negros Occidental was suspended after Panay island experienced an increase in COVID-19 cases which was being blamed on COVID-19 variants such as the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Theta.

Last Friday, August 6, the Bacolod City Emergency Operations Center expressed their alarm after 12 travelers originating from Iloilo have tested positive for COVID-19./DGB, WDJ