The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases recorded in the province of Iloilo in January this year has reached more than 600.
The Provincial Health Office (PHO) logged 631 cases of COVID-19 from January 1 to 31, 2021.
The figure was higher compared to 368 and 524 cases registered in the month of December and November last year, respectively.
Dr. Maria Socorro Colmenares-Quiñon, provincial health officer, attributed the sustained increase in infections to mass gatherings.
Most of the new cases, she said, involved people who attended birthday parties and other group gatherings.
Quiñon urged the public to skip physical gatherings to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
The province has recorded 3,686 cases of the disease since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, including 3,093 recoveries and 105 deaths.
Passi City, which is currently under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), has the highest number of cases in the province.
As of Jan. 29, the Passi listed 482 cases, followed by Oton, 338; Pavia, 293; Pototan, 153; Guimbal and San Joaquin, 144; Tigbauan, 111; and Miagao, 104.IMT
