More business process Outsourcing (BPO) workers have contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Iloilo.

The City Epidemiological Services Unit (CESU) logged 62 new cases involving BPO employees on Thursday, March 18.

Of the number, 41 are residents of the city and 21 are from Iloilo province.

On Wednesday, March 17, CESU recorded 31 infections, 22 of which are city residents and 9 are from the province.

The total number of BPO workers who tested positive for the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 currently stands at 93. All of them work for Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS) in Mandurriao district.

To arrest the further spread of COVID-19, Mayor Jerry Treñas ordered the conduct of random testing in call centers in the metropolis.

“In view of the many cases from a call center today, I have given instructions to Dr. Roland Fortuna and Francis Cruz to get in touch with the other call centers in Iloilo City. We need to be proactive and require random testing in their call centers. We need to do it right away to ensure the safety of everyone,” he said in a statement on Thursday.

Treñas also reminded the public to continue observing the minimum health standards.

“We must remember that the presence of the virus despite how many means that we are all at risk. The only ways we can be protected are by following the health protocols and get vaccinated. Your choices also affect the safety of your family,” he said.IMT