AKLAN 2nd District Rep. Teodorico Haresco on Tuesday appealed to visitors of the world-famous Boracay Island to strictly follow health protocols, amid the top tourist destination seeing a peak in the rise of the COVID-19 virus.
Independent research firm OCTA Research said that the Covid-19 positivity rates in some provinces surged in the past week, with Aklan registering the highest at 56.9 percent as of May 13.
“We are alarmed by the recent data indicating a surge of COVID-19 cases in Aklan, and other provinces with high tourism visits in the past week,” Haresco said.
According to Haresco, the local government units are strengthening efforts to implement basic health protocols and provide services to affected communities.
He admitted that while the local economy is booming due to the increased tourism in the Island of Boracay, it should be carefully balanced with the health protocols.
“While we recognize the resilience of our tourism industry, we also appeal to tourists to be conscientious and prudent in following the basic health protocols so we can protect everyone from harm,” Haresco said.
He did not state though if visitors should be required to wear masks.
Aside from Aklan the provinces with high positivity rate include Camarines Sur, with 46.5 percent, Rizal, 44.4 percent and Quezon, 42.7 percent.
OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said that Metro Manila’s positivity rate, or the number of individuals who yielded positive results from among those who were tested for the virus, increased by 2.7 points from the 22.7 percent registered last May 6.
This well exceeds the five percent threshold laid down by the World Health Organization.
Catherine R. Cueto
