DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, July 13 (PIA) -- Negros Oriental logged 159 new cases of COVID-19 infection as of July 12. 

Assistant Provincial Health Officer and Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force - Emerging Infectious Disease (PIATF - EID)  Incident Ground Commander Dr. Liland Estacion explained in her virtual press conference on July 12 that the said number is an accumulated figure based on the swab tests results from the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) covering the period of July 9 to 11. 

The new cases were recorded in Basay (3), Bayawan City (1), Sta. Catalina (4), Siaton (9), Zamboanguita (1), Dauin (1), Bacong (29), Valencia (8), Dumaguete City (24), Sibulan (12), Amlan (5), Tanjay City (5), Bais City (10), Mabinay (6), Manjuyod (3), Bindoy (1), Ayungon (4), Guihulngan City (1), and Canlaon City (32).

Estacion said the number of COVID-19 active cases dropped from 1,501 as of July 9 to 1,385 as of July 13.

The health official also reported 270 recoveries and seven additional COVID-related deaths.

Two of them were reported late by their respective local government units (LGUs), namely, Tayasan and La Libertad.

On the other hand, the five other deaths are from Dumaguete City, Basay, Siaton, and San Jose.

With this, Negros Oriental now has a total of 9,794 cases with 1,385 active cases, 8,235 recoveries, and 174 deaths.

Meanwhile, Estacion reiterated the new travel protocols for inbound travelers who have completed their vaccination.

The PIATF is currently requiring inbound travelers who have completed their vaccination to present their authentic vaccination card and a negative (non-reactive) antigen test result valid for 48 hours.

“Walay bakuna na you are assured na dili ka matakdan ug virus ug dili pod ka makatakod. Importante ang negative antigen test maski nabakuhan na. I think this is the only way naa tay control sa ato border (So far there’s no vaccine that completely assures us that we cannot contract COVID or we cannot transmit the virus. The antigen test is still important because I think it is the only way have control in our borders)," Estacion said.

For those who have not yet been vaccinated, a negative RT PCR test result is still a requirement for travel.

All travelers must also register with the S-PASS before entering the province. 

Estacion encouraged travelers bound for Negros Oriental to coordinate with the Provincial Tourism Unit for the approval of S-PASS registration.

PIATF has set the regulations while the province is still under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)