COVID-19 PANDEMIC

OCTA flags Davao, Baguio, 2 other cities as areas of concern

The OCTA Research group on Friday flagged the cities of Davao, Iloilo, Baguio, and San Fernando in La Union as areas of concern over a rising number of COVID-19 cases and high hospital bed occupancy rates.

In their latest monitoring report, the independent team of experts said “new cases continued to escalate in Davao City, which had the highest daily average in the country and a reproduction number of 1.41.”

A reproduction number of 1 or higher indicates sustained COVID-19 transmission.

Davao City averaged 324 new cases daily from June 25 to July 1, an increase of 43% from the previous week, while 66% of its hospital beds and 89% of its intensive care unit (ICU) beds were in use, OCTA said.

The group also said Iloilo saw an uptick in infections after a period of decline, while 78% of its hospital beds and 94% of its ICU beds were occupied.

In Baguio City, cases grew by 30% over the past week while 82% of hospital beds and 77% of ICU beds were utilized.

OCTA said San Fernando City in La Union “had a spike in new COVID-19 cases, which was 148% higher than the previous week” with 67% of hospital beds and 78% of ICU beds in use.

The cities of Iloilo and Davao have been placed under the stricter modified enhanced community quarantine

Metro Manila, other areas

Meanwhile, OCTA said COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila rose by 5% during June 25 to July 1.

The capital region also posted a reproduction number of 0.82, positivity rate of 6%, hospital bed occupancy rate of 36%, and ICU utilization rate of 44%.

OCTA said Navotas, Pateros, and Malabon logged the fewest number of new cases per day at 10 or less.

Nationally, the reproduction number stood at 0.97 while the country’s incidence rate was at 5.2 cases per day per 100,000.

“The trends slowed down or saw a decline in many LGUs in Mindanao and Visayas, including Cagayan de Oro, Tagum, Zamboanga City, Tacloban, Bacolod and Butuan,” OCTA said.

The Department of Health earlier classified the Philippines as a low-risk area for COVID-19 but flagged four regions as high-risk. —KBK, GMA News