Eastern Samar remains in the medium-risk category of COVID-19, but cases of infection in the area are still on the rise.
“Hindi naman ibig sabihin na medium risk kami bumababa ang kaso namin. Tumaas din po. As of now, ang cases namin 2,180 na po. Malapit na naming malampasan yung record namin ng 2020. Ang 2020, 1173. Ngayon, kalahating taon pa lang 1,007 na kami,” said kay Gov. Ben Evardone.
In an interview with TeleRadyo Thursday morning, Evardone said the situation is almost the same in the entire region.
“Sa buong region, nalampasan na nila yung buong record ng 2020 ng positive cases na last year 11,490, ngayon nasa 13,976 na ang buong region. Matindi talaga ang surge ng cases dito sa amin,” he said.
They linked the spread of COVID-19 to government offices.
“Ina-analyze namin, nakakalungkot na ang main source ngayon ng infection ay mga government offices. Yun ang nakakalungkot na hindi nagsusuot ng face mask, face shield, social distancing pag uuwi sa kanilang mga bahay syempre yung household nagkakaroon na ng infection. Yun ang study at analysis ng DOH (Department of Health) sa region po,” he said.
Also read: Rebel brothers surrender in Northern Samar
Spread of COVID-19 in Eastern Samar often from gov’t offices
He said an example of this is when a town mayor tested positive, and almost all municipal employees have also been positive for COVID-19.
He said it is difficult for them to implement minimum health protocols, but it is becoming laxer when it comes to their respective offices.
“Hindi lang po sa Eastern Samar yan, that is the phenomenon in the whole region,” he added.
Laguna, Davao Region, Western Visayas, Soccsksargen, and Eastern Visayas are currently high-risk.
A health expert had earlier said that non-compliance with enforced minimum health protocols such as wearing a face mask and face shield and attending social events was one of the visible reasons for the spread of COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) recorded 5,795 new infections of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Thursday, bringing the total number of cases in the Philippines to 1,418,337.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.