This Week in Bacolod (May 30 to June 5, 2021)

If COVID-19 cases in the province continue to decrease, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson might consider shortening the curfew hours. According to the governor, small business players are complaining about the 8:00 PM to 4:00 AM curfew. Meanwhile, the governor left the decision to local government units to reopen resorts in Negros Occidental [1].

There is a sea vessel travel moratorium between Negros Island and Iloilo City until May 31, 2021. Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas issued the moratorium after escalating the quarantine status of the City of Love to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ). The travel moratorium is an inbound and outbound fast craft, roll-on, and roll-off (roro) vessel trips between the two islands [2].

Potential COVID-19 patients should consider entries in other Negros Occidental hospitals as the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) will limit COVID-19 admissions, according to CLMMRH Chief Dr. Julius Drilon [3]. This move is due to the increasing positivity rate in the city, which might trigger a significant impact on the hospital’s bed capacity. As of writing, the beds for coronavirus patients are already 93 percent utilized, while six of seven intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 patients are also occupied.

Bacolod City Health Office (CHO) stated that Bacolodnon who got their first dose against COVID-19 might have their second dose at the SMX Convention Center in SM City Bacolod [4]. Those administered at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) should bring their vaccination cards when lining up for their second jab at the convention center. The admission of the second jabs at SMX Convention Center started last Monday, May 28, and will continue every weekday.

Visit Yoorekka for more guidelines in Bacolod and Iloilo, and COVID-19 updates.