OCTA Research: 18 areas at high risk for COVID-19

The OCTA Research team listed 18 areas considered at high risk for COVID-19 based on their high record of daily new cases, attack rate, and hospital occupancy.

In a report dated October 26, the research team warned these areas of possible ‘high hospital burden’ in the coming weeks, which can stress healthcare systems and overwhelm medical frontliners:

1. Pasay City
2. Makati City
3. Pasig City
4. Mandaluyong City
5. Baguio City
6. Itogon, Benguet
7. Calamba, Laguna
8. Angono, Rizal
9. Cainta, Rizal
10. Tatay, Rizal
11. Lucena, Quezon
12. Lagan, Isabela
13. Batangas City, Batangas
14.  General Trias, Cavite
15. Iloilo City
16. San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
17. Davao City, Davao Del Sur
18. Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte

Due to this, OCTA Research advised concerned local governments to further intensify its efforts in testing, tracing, and isolation to reverse the increase of transmissions at the community level.

“Moreover, in identified high-risk areas, the implementation of more aggressive and effective localized lockdowns with stricter border controls is urgently needed to suppress further viral transmissions,” it added.

As of October 26, the Philippines has recorded a total of 371,630 COVID-19 cases, with 328,258 recoveries and 7,039 fatalities.

The remaining 36,333 active cases are still undergoing treatment or quarantine, the Department of Health said. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News