TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, June 29 (PIA) – A day before the month of June ends, COVID-19 claimed 22 Boholano lives in a month, the highest monthly mortality rate since March 2020 when the Philippines declared travel restrictions to contain and isolate the viral disease that has proven to be hard to control.

In May, Bohol registered 15 COVID-related deaths, while 15 COVID-related deaths were recorded in April. 

The last three months rose in sharp contrast to the 10 COVID deaths in the first three months of 2021.

With increasing number of cases reported on June 29, the possibility of the number of deaths dropping remains slim for the next months.

On June 28, the Bohol Inter-Agency task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease reported 217 new cases for the day, the highest so far in the year-long history of the disease in Bohol.

Total active cases for June 29 reached 1,547, and 1,506 or 97% of the total active cases for the day are cases of local transmission.

The day also recorded 31 healthcare workers in the frontlines among the vast number of active cases for the day, the highest number of medical workers in the frontlines affected by the disease.

As the month ends too, a new trend is emerging in the geographical affectation of the disease in Bohol.

When the previous cases were lumped near Tagbilaran City which is the center of trade and commerce in Bohol, in the recent weeks, the cases have crept to towns in the outer fringes, creating new COVID hotspots.

On June 29, while Tagbilaran City still recorded the most number of cases at 305, among the towns with alarming cases are Alicia with 72 cases and Dauis with 71 cases.

Dauis is three kilometers from the city while Alicia is 103 kilometers east.

Fourth is Sierra Bullones town, 71 kilometers east of Tagbilaran which has 61 cases.

Fifth highest case from the day is Calape, 41 kilometers north of the city, and Inabanga, 71 kilometers again north of the commercial hub with 59 cases each. 

Sixth on the list is Candijay, 97 kilometers east of the city; followed by Guindulman, 92 kilometers east, with 47 cases; and Balilihan, 22 kilometers northeast of Tagbilaran, with 46 cases. 

Ninth is Cortes, 10 kilometers north of the city, with 45 cases, followed by Loon, 25 kilometers north of Tagbilaran, with 42 cases. (rahc/PIA Bohol)