Majority of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in Western Visayas traveled to Manila, the epicenter of the disease’s outbreak in the country.

The Department of Health (DOH-6) reported nine new COVID-19 cases in Western Visayas, bringing to total cases in the region to 13.

Of the additional cases, two are from Iloilo province, one from Iloilo City, and three each from Bacolod City and Aklan. 

The DOH-6 previously recorded one COVID-19 case each in Capiz, Bacolod City, Iloilo City, and Iloilo province.

Those who traveled to Manila are the following:

* 72-year-old male, Iloilo City
*61-year-old female, Iloilo City
*75-year-old male, Bacolod City
*40-year-old male, Bacolod City
*22-year-old female, Iloilo province
*81-year-old male, Aklan
*37-year-old male, Aklan
*68-year-old male, Aklan
*45-year-old male, Capiz

The two patients in Iloilo province, 65-year-old male and 59-year-old female, had no travel history but believed to have had close contact with infected persons.

The first patient in Bacolod City, 56-year-old man, had a travel history to London. His 28-year-old son also got infected.

All the provinces (except for Guimaras) and cities in the region have been placed under “enhanced community quarantine”. IMT

People entering Iloilo City undergo mandatory thermal scanning. (Photo by Arnold Almacen)