February leaves Bohol

With 4 COVID deaths

PANGLAO, Bohol, Feb 27 (PIA) – February, notably the month of love proved to be one Bohol would live to remember sadly, with four of 22 corona virus disease (COVID) deaths happening within the month.

As of February 27, 2021, Bohol recorded its 22nd COVID death, the last two in fact happened in the last two days.

The first death during the month was Bohol’s 19th COVID death, this was from a female 43 years-old returning Overseas Filipino Worker from Alicia who died February 8, 2021.

Death number 20 was a case of a 3-days old infant from Maribojoc, who died a few days later.

Death number 21 happened to a 60+ female patient with comorbidity from Ubay and a day later, another COVID death would come from a 22 yer-old male patient from Don Emilio del Valle Memorial Hospital who was transferred to Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital in Tagbilaran but died while in transit.

The biggest concern however is the more recent COVID deaths and the skyrocketing local transmission cases in Tagbilaran City.

This sets the background for a no-quarantine policy for COVID-free short staying tourists and returning residents, beginning March 1.

The case of Tagbilaran City is rather peculiar.

From just about ten cases here last February 20 and just trailing Dauis and Ubay with 29 local transmission cases each a week ago, Tagbilaran’s recent COVID cases trend is upwards, while Dauis and Ubay have shown indications of getting tamed.

Tagbilaran City now has 30 local transmission cases, as the COVID-19 fulcrum shifted, bringing the concern to the capital city, days before Bohol implements no quarantine for Covid–free short staying tourists and returning residents.

Tagbilaran City’s edge as the province’s only city and its economic capital is also its misfortune, its being the hub of trade and commerce attracts all kinds of people to the city, many of them possibly bringing in the dreaded virus and causing local transmission concerns.

In February 19, for example, when Bohol recorded 88 cases, zero new cases and 13 cases brought in by returning residents (RR), overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and authorized persons outside residence (APOR), local transmission was at 85.22 %.

Of the 88 cases all over Bohol February 26, local transmission was at 75 while 13 cases were from returning residents who pose less risks as they are contained in the town quarantine facilities or town accredited private quarantine.

Of the 75 local transmission cases, Tagbilaran only had 10 local transmission cases compared to 29 cases for both Ubay and Dauis. That time, Loboc town, another tourist hub records 6 local transmission cases. That, apparently was then.

By February 20, of Bohol’s recorded 107 active cases for the day, Tagbilaran still had 10, compared to Dauis’ 29 cases and Ubay’s 27 cases.

In February 21 however, local cases in Tagbilaran more than doubled, and the recorded 24 local transmission cases was something nobody expected, even when the Province had an over-all 110 local transmission.

Tagbilaran had 24 local transmission cases, Dauis had 23, Ubay had 22, Loboc still had 6 while Mabini records 5 local cases.

While the city retained its 24 cases of local transmission by the 22nd of the month, Dauis records only 15 and Ubay had 19 cases.

Loboc and Mabini then had six and five cases respectively.

On the 23rd, Tagbilaran’s problems continue to add up as it had 27 local cases, while Dauis kept its 15 cases and Ubay had 21. The same day too, Loboc records 6, Mabini 5 and Loay had 4.

Last February 24, Tagbilaran still sees another spike with 32, Dauis had 15 and Ubay had 21. Loboc and Mabini maintains each reported figures at 6 and 5.

On the 25th, Tagbilaran’s cases slightly dipped with 28 cases for the day; Dauis and Ubay maintained a 15 and 21 as Loboc and Mabini still had 6 and 5.

By the 26th, Tagbilaran’s cases resurged with 30 as Dauis and Ubay had their cases drastically trimmed to 4, Loboc had 6 and Loay at 7 cases.

Yesterday, February 27, Tagbilaran’s local transmission remained at 30, while Dauis had 4 and Ubay at 3.

Loay also had 7 local transmission cases as February closed. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol)

ALL HANDS ON DECK. Members of the Tagbilaran City Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council render extra work to contain and isolate communities whose residents have been suspected of getting in contact with COVID positive individuals. Tagbilaran City now leads Bohol in local affectation, a frightening fact considering that the city is also most populous. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol)

DOWNSIDE OF BEING THE HUB. In times of viral disease, economic hubs like Tagbilaran City still attracts people, some of them already carrying the virus but are asymptomatic, unknowingly infecting others and further spreading the disease. Authorities stress minimum health standards still even as Bohol opens its doors a bit more starting March 1. (rahchiu/PIA-7/Bohol)