Negros Occidental records 85 new COVID-19 cases; total now at 1,356

The total number of COVID-19 cases in Negros Occidental has reached 1,356 with 85 new reported infections, according to a report of 24 Oras News Alert on Saturday.

Of the new infections, the Department of Health Western Visayas said 83 are local transmission cases.

Negros Occidental now has 703 active cases, 645 recoveries, and eight fatalities.

Governor Bong Lacson and the mayors discussed some additional local health protocols and the guidelines on managing overseas Filipino workers returning to the province.

The Department of Health earlier attributed the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Negros Occidental in August to the influx of locally stranded individuals going home to the province.

On Saturday, the DOH reported 2,529 new cases in the country, bringing the nationwide tally to 234,570 with 161,668 recoveries and 3,790 fatalities. —Joviland Rita/LBG, GMA News