Clustering of COVID-19 cases found at 49 barangays in Cebu City — DOH’s Vergeire

More than half of the 80 barangays in Cebu City have experienced clustering of COVID-19 cases, according to the Department of Health (DOH) on Friday.

"Out of these 80 barangays na ito, 49 barangays [ang] nag-clustering. Kapag sinabi nating clustering, these are two or more cases in a specific area," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said at a virtual media forum.

She said the figures were part of the initial analysis of the epidemiology team and National Task Force Against COVID-19 leaders who were deployed to the city which is currently under an enhanced community quarantine.

"At that time of investigation, nakita nila na 61 out of the 80 barangays mayroon silang bagong kaso in the past 14 days," she added.

'Nearing critical level'

Vergeire said that data as of June 24 showed the capacity of Cebu City's health system is "approaching the critical level."

The utilization rate of intensive care unit beds is at 55%, while occupancy of isolation beds at 84%, ward beds at 64.9%, and mechanical ventilators at 50%.

"Looking at the critical care utilization and also the number of cases that they have, makikita natin talaga na hotspot ang Cebu City and talagang binabantayan natin," she said.

"That was the initial epidemiologic analysis pero of course we are doing this everyday, tinitingnan natin ang trends ng Cebu City," she added.

'12 hot spots'

On Thursday, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu announced that at least 12 barangays in Cebu City were identified as COVID-19 "hot spots" and will be placed under strict lockdown.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Cebu City reached 4,289 after 73 new cases were recorded on June 25. Of these cases, 3,808 remain active, 410 have recovered, and 71 died.

Cebu City is number one on the list of the top provinces and cities in the Philippines with the highest number of COVID-19 infections. Quezon City trailed behind with 2,994 cases and Manila City placed third with 2,073 cases. — RSJ, GMA News