By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The number of new COVID-19 cases in Negros Occidental remains low, the latest monitoring from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) showed yesterday.

PHO head Dr. Girlie Pinongan said the province has four active COVID-19 cases, of which, one was confined at the Alfredo Marañon Sr. District Hospital in Sagay City, while three others were at the Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod City.

Pinongan said they have not recorded COVID-19 cases in other provincial government-run hospitals.

However, she confirmed that except for serious cases requiring hospital admission, those experiencing symptoms are no longer undergoing testing.

Pinongan advised the public to remain cautious and wear face masks whenever they are in an enclosed space or in a crowded area.

Earlier, the PHO reported that they have recorded 2,211 influenza-like cases in the province, an increase of 258.93 percent compared to last year.

Isabela town has the highest number of recorded cases at 1,680.

The most recent spike in influenza-like cases in Negros Occidental is attributed to the onset of the cold season./DGB, WDJ