By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The province of Negros Occidental is currently under Alert Level 4, the highest alert level for COVID-19, according to the Department of Health (DOH) in Western Visayas.

Data released by the DOH showed that the province’s risk classification is now at moderate with hospital care utilization rate (HCUR) now at 72.64 percent which is now a “high risk” classification.

The growth rate in cases in the recent three to four weeks compared to the previous five to six weeks has also increased to 74.79 percent.

Data of the province’s health system capacity also showed the occupancy rate of COVID ward beds in Negros Occidental is currently 77.86 percent, intensive care unit beds at 50 percent, while isolation beds are at 77.33 percent.

It added that mechanical ventilators for COVID-19 patients are currently low at 31.25 percent.

As of Sunday, September 19, Negros Occidental has 2,845 active COVID-19 cases with six new fatalities.

Total confirmed cases for the province is at 26,146 with total recoveries at 22,548 and deaths at 753./DGB, WDJ