DOH sees rising COVID-19 cases in six areas in NCR, Cebu

The Department of Health (DOH) is strictly monitoring six areas where there has been a spike in COVID-19 cases for the past week, Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said. 

Vergeire said these areas include Cebu City, Cebu province, cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu in Cebu, Quezon City and the City of Manila. 

“Ito iyong top 6 na tinututukan namin dahil sila iyong nakapagtala ng maraming kaso ng COVID-19 the past week,” Vergeire said in a virtual forum. 

QC under monitoring

The DOH said it was closely monitoring Quezon City, where a 34-percent case growth rate was recorded as of July 5.

The department also rectified its earlier statement identifying Marikina, Muntinlupa, and Makati as “emerging hotspots” of COVID-19 in Metro Manila.

In a statement on Monday night, The DOH said cases in Marikina decreased by 68 percent, in Muntinlupa by 10 percent, and in Makati by 4 percent as of July 5.

“Sa Cebu, may nakita po tayong 64 barangays with clustering of cases, samantalang sa National Capital Region, may nakita po tayong 314 barangays with clustering of cases,” she added.

The DOH has also identified three closed setting facilities in Metro Manila with a clustering of cases, including the Metro Rail Transit with 186 infections and a private company with 39 new cases in the past two weeks. 

Vergeire, however, clarified that the nationwide case doubling rate remains beyond seven days at at 7.7 days, and that only 60% of the country’s critical care facilities are occupied. 

Aside from the six apparent hotspots, Vergeire said the backlogs in COVID-19 test results yet to be released by laboratories have also reached 8,000 as of July 4.

Vergeire said that the laboratories’ lack of encoders is a huge factor in accumulating backlogs. 

“Kulang po kasi ang encoders, kaya iyong laboratoratories, iyong kanilang med tech at ibang staff, sila na rin iyong gumagawa ng report ng encoders,” Vergeire said.

“We also have a 6 p.m. na deadline. Nagkakaroon ng problema kasi iyong iba they submit beyond that, kaya magme-meeting kami bukas with laboratories to discuss the enforcement of deadlines of submissions,” Vergeire added.

The Philippines recorded 44,254 COVID-19 cases as of Sunday. Of this number, 11,942 recovered while 1,297 died.

Over 11,000 COVID-19 cases which are asymptomatic and mild cases are also under home quarantine as of the moment based on DOH records. — with Julia Mari Ornedo/KG/RSJ/NB, GMA News