This Week in Bacolod (July 26 to August 1, 2020)

Following the televised announcement made by Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque, the MCGQ in Bacolod City was extended until July 31, 2020. Mayor Evelio Leonardia signed Executive Order No. 48 shortly before midnight of July 15 and added that Bacolodnons shall follow some necessary lifestyle changes since the coronavirus disease still exists in the city [1].

After the death of a confirmed patient from Barangay Banago last July 15, 15 houses in the area were sealed off to contain the spread of COVID-19. The 60-year-old patient who died from the disease was a construction worker from Purok Mahimulation. He experienced symptoms as early as July 6 before he was confined to a hospital. He had no travel history nor close contact with a COVID-19 positive patient, but he started exhibiting symptoms as early as July 6. Meanwhile, a locally stranded individual (LSI) in Purok Riverside Zone 3 from the same barangay also tested positive for the virus and is now isolated in a quarantine facility in the city [2].

Bacolod-Silay Airport is among the 32 airports in the country that received clearance from local government units to resume commercial flights. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) allowed the resumption of commercial flights starting July 18, 2020.

The current setup allows only one flight per day, according to Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson. Under the restrictions, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia must give the list of LSIs and essential workers. They must also collect and show the passengers’ proof of residence or employment. The governor also added that those who are stranded in Cebu will have to wait [3].

Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod City has announced to the public that its isolation facility for COVID-19 patients has already reached its full capacity. The private hospital can no longer accept patients who are showing symptoms of COVID-19 effective Monday, July 20. Non-COVID-19 patient admissions are still open, the private hospital added.

Riverside Medical Center also confirmed that several of its healthcare workers have recently started exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms and are already in isolation and treatment. Patients showing symptoms of COVID-19 are advised to seek admission from other available healthcare facilities in the city [4].

Go to Yoorekka for more COVID-19 updates in Bacolod!