5 Philippine provinces still COVID-free in July, DOH says

Five provinces across the Philippines remain free from cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) months into the pandemic, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.

DOH Director IV Beverly Ho identified the COVID-free areas as Batanes, Quirino, Aurora, and Dinagat Islands.

DOH Central Visayas later added that Siquijor also remains free from COVID-19 infections.

“Bukod po sa pagiging isolated dahil isla po ang iba sa mga probinsyang ito, ipinagmamalaki po namin ang balitang ito at inaanyayahan na patuloy po nating ipagpatuloy ang mga measures na kanilang nasimulan,” Ho said in a briefing.

“Bukod po sa pagiging isolated dahil isla po ang iba sa mga probinsyang ito, ipinagmamalaki po namin ang balitang ito at inaanyayahan na patuloy po nating ipagpatuloy ang mga measures na kanilang nasimulan,” she said in a briefing.

The DOH attributed the success to the “heightened vigilance” of local authorities in the said areas.

“Alam po natin na ang kanilang mga local government ay active in terms of screening people who come from areas with community transmission na pabalik sa kanila,” Ho said.

“Basically, talagang heightened po ‘yung vigilance nila at patuloy po ‘yung kanilang pagkampanya to do the minimum health standards sa kanilang mga lugar,” she added.

In April, there were 26 areas nationwide that had not logged any COVID-19 cases. 

The Philippines has recorded 72,296 COVID-19 cases with 23,623 recoveries and 1,843 deaths as of Wednesday afternoon.  — RSJ/LDF, GMA News