BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – The Emergency Operations Center Task Force (EOC-TF) here has released a report showing an 81 percent negativity rate for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) ‘probables’.
The data released by the EOC showed a total of 1,228 out of 1,507 patients with flu-like symptoms or the ‘probables’ tested negative for the viral disease for the period from 30 September to 2 December.
The EOC also pointed out that the 14-day period from Nov. 19 to Dec. 2 a higher negativity rating of 86 percent as 182 out of 219 “probables” tested negative.
City officials have encouraged the public to undergo swab test if they are showing flu-like symptoms – “even the mildest ones.”
Mayor Evelio Leonardia said in a news release “Bacolodnons need not worry of (sic) getting tested. As what the data show, not all those who have symptoms turn out to be positive.”
City Administrator Em Ang, meanwhile, reminded the public not to be complacent in spite of the constant decrease of Covid-19 cases.
Ang said the public must always keep in mind the minimum health protocols and cooperate with the policies and programs of the local government.
She also noted the low positivity rate of the surveillance testing conducted to various sectors in Bacolod.
Recently, the city subjected to surveillance testing 548 individuals composed of food delivery service crews, cockfighting staffs, and personnel from the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) where four tested positive for COVID-19 — 2 coming from each group, or a 0.73 percent positivity rate.
According to Executive Assistant Ernie Pineda, the EOC is set to conduct COVID-19 tests for officers of the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO), personnel of the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO), and members of transport sector who were not able to undergo prior surveillance testing.
