This Week in Bacolod (May 3 to 9, 2020)

Although Bacolod City is seen as a low-risk area, local authorities don't want to be complacent.

By: Shanice Reyes | May 03, 2020

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Bacolod , Lockdown News, general community quarantine, COVID-19, Health News, Health Advisories

The national Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) considers the City of Smiles a low-risk area, but local government officials don’t want to let their guard down. The enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Bacolod City has been extended until May 15 since confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the city are beginning to appear. Meawhile in Negros Occidental, the provincial government followed the recommendations of the IATF and has downgraded to the general community quarantine (GCQ). While there is still no guarantee of the public’s safety, supermarkets in Bacolod are now offering door-to-door services for those who want their groceries delivered. Bacolod’s water and electric company joined the initiative for convenience as well by releasing a mobile application for homeowners to use.

For health news, a medical facility was tapped by the city government to accommodate suspected patients of COVID-19. Also, the Department of Health informed the community about the difference between RT-PCR and Rapid Antibody-based Diagnostic Tests (RDTs). For news around the globe, the total number of positive cases worldwide has surpassed 3 million.

Lockdown News: Bacolod City’s ECQ extended until May 15

The national Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) approved the request of the city government to extend the ECQ in Bacolod until May 15 [1]. Earlier last week, Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued a statement during a special session that downgrading or lifting the ECQ is still premature [2]. He stressed that there are new positive cases of COVID-19 in the city and that health authorities noted that these were local transmissions.

Travel News: Negros Occidental to set up random checkpoints during the GCQ

Meanwhile, the provincial government of Negros Occidental will follow the advice of the IATF to downgrade to general community quarantine (GCQ) starting May 1, 2020 [3]. Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson stated that there will be random checkpoints while the GCQ is in effect. He also ordered persons aged 0 to 20 years old and 60 years old and above to still observe home quarantine strictly. He required those who need to leave the house to bring a valid ID to identify that they are 21 to 59 years old—the age bracket for people who are allowed to go out. Malls are still expected to be closed except for essential businesses, the governor added.

Shopping News: Supermarkets in Bacolod adopt delivery services

Three supermarkets in Bacolod adopted take-out and delivery services for the community. Bacolodnons who wish to have their groceries delivered to their doorstep may check out these supermarkets and the information on how to avail of the service.

• Robinsons Place Bacolod
Contact number: 0998 964 6160
Guidelines on how to order: https://www.facebook.com/notes/robinsons-department-store/we-shop-for-you/10159706122328835/

• Lopue’s East Centre
Guidelines on how to order: https://www.facebook.com/lopues/photos/a.707235099294471/3940228549328427/?type=3&theater

• Lopue’s San Sebastian
Contact numbers: 0948 912 1835 / 0951 956 3318
Guidelines on how to order: https://www.facebook.com/lopuessanseb/photos/a.240776226015128/2869418746484183/?type=3&theater

Banks and Remittances News: BACIWA and CENECO release mobile apps

Central Negros Electric Cooperative Inc. (CENECO) and Bacolod City Water District (BACIWA) released mobile apps for homeowners who want to check and pay their bills online. Customers need to download and install the two mobile applications from Google Playstore and register their information such as their billing account number and account name. Both mobile applications accept online payments [4].

Health News: Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital tapped as a referral facility for COVID-19 cases

Mayor Evelio Leonardia tapped the Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital to facilitate patients with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 [5]. The private hospital will dedicate its 34-room south wing, which will become the Bacolod City Respiratory Referral Center (BCRRC), to accommodate suspected or probable patients. The city government will also provide additional medical equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), and testing kits.

Health Advisories: DOH explains the difference between RT-PCR and RDTs

The Department of Health (DOH) posted an infographic on their official Facebook page to educate the community on the difference between RT-PCR and Rapid Antibody-based Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) for detecting COVID-19. DOH highlighted the different phases if someone acquired the viral infection. These phases are categorized as Asymptomatic Phase, Symptomatic Phase, Acute Phase, and Convalescent Phase.

Global News: More than 3 million cases of COVID-19 recorded worldwide

According to the report compiled by John Hopkins University, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases around the world is now more than 3 million, with the number of deaths now more than 208,131. The United States remains to have the highest number of COVID-19 cases at 972,969 and has the highest number of deaths at 55,118.


Go to Yoorekka for more COVID-19 updates in Bacolod City.



Sources:
[1] https://bit.ly/2WaBQpD
[2] https://bit.ly/2xp03QO
[3] https://bit.ly/2W8KswY
[4] https://bit.ly/2W94QOI
[5] https://bit.ly/2xp0Dhs

About Shanice Reyes

Shanice Reyes writes to buy herself good coffee and bike parts. When she's not writing, you can find her playing Ultimate Frisbee, traveling to new places, or hanging out with her dogs and tarantulas. Though she has an irrational fear of heights, she'd love to try sky-diving one day.

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