DOH: Zamboanga Peninsula only region at high risk for COVID-19

The Zamboanga Peninsula is the only region in the Philippines that remains at high-risk classification for COVID-19, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday.

According to data from the DOH, Zamboanga Peninsula has an average daily attack rate (ADAR) of 9.24 per 100,000 individuals, not far from the 9.23 ADAR in the previous three to four weeks.

It has a bed utilization rate of 70.29%, a mechanical ventilator utilization rate of 61.11%, and an intensive care unit utilization rate of 54.02%.

“Most regions are showing negative two-week growth rates. However, the majority remain with high-risk average daily attack rates,” Vergeire said in a media briefing.

“Region IX is the sole region with high-risk case classification,” she added.

Meanwhile, Vergeire said that the epidemic curve in the country’s major island groups, as well as National Capital Region Plus areas, are on a downward trend.

The Health official said that cases have been going down in the country since the peak in early September as daily cases decreased by 23%.

“Disaggregating our epidemic curve in the major island groups and the National Capital Region Plus areas, it can be observed that all areas have peaked and are at a downward trend,” she said.

Vergeire said the Philippines is at moderate-risk case classification with a negative two-week growth rate at 44% and a high-risk ADAR at 8.26 cases per 100,000, lower than the 14.71 in the previous three to four weeks.

The Philippines ICU utilization rate is also at moderate risk at 62%.

NCR, other regions

According to Vergeire, both Cordillera Administrative Region and the Cagayan Valley have total beds and ICU utilization rates at high risk.

Meanwhile, the Zamboanga Peninsula, the Davao Region, Central Luzon, the Bicol Region, and the Bangsamoro Region have either total beds or ICU utilization rates at high risk.

The National Capital Region, meanwhile, shows a negative or low-risk two-week growth rate at -54% and a high-risk ADAR at 12.28 per 100,000.

Vergeire said the region’s health systems capacity is at low to moderate risk with total beds and ICU utilization at 44% to 59% utilization.

“In NCR the seven-day moving average… shows a decrease as cases in the recent seven days decreased compared to the previous seven days by 533 cases or 27%,” she said.

Facilities

Vergeire, meanwhile, defended the DOH’s statement that COVID-19 cases are going down, saying that the data have basis.

“Hindi naman po sa kung saan lang natin kinukuha ang datos natin. Meron po kaming official database kung saan nakikita natin lahat ng ospital sa buong bansa,” she said.

“So meron tayong pinagbabasehan ng nire-report sa public. Hindi namin kinuha basta kung saan ‘yan,” she added.

She further said that the DOH also has operational units that provide the agency data.

“Hindi ho naman natin sinabi na talagang na-decongest na natin lahat ng hospital. In fact, doon po sa mga lugar na ating sinasabi ngayon, total bed utilization is low pero 'yung ibang ICU utilization pa rin ay mataas,” she said.

At present, Vergeire said there are 171 facilities at critical risk, 87 facilities at high risk, 109 facilities at moderate risk, and 844 facilities at low-risk.—AOL, GMA News