DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Philippines — While coronavirus cases have been reported dropping in many parts of the country, Negros Oriental is battling a third wave of infections driven by the highly transmissible Delta variant of COVID-19. “Majority of the samples [we] sent to the Philippine Genome Center turned out as Delta variant,” said Dr. Nikko Paolo Cablao, head of the Negros Oriental Molecular Laboratory. As of Oct. 26, Negros Oriental logged 3,111 active cases of COVID-19, the highest in Central Visayas region, according to the Department of Health (DOH). Cablao called on Negros Oriental residents to be vigilant and follow health protocols to control the surge. Travel requirementsDespite the rise in COVID-19 cases, Negros Oriental will no longer require a negative swab test result for fully vaccinated travelers arriving in the province starting Nov. 1.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer October 28, 2021 05:54 UTC