8 provinces log 100% to 4,000% spike in COVID-19 cases -DOH

Eight provinces recorded a 100 to 4,000-percent spike in new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in recent weeks, data from the Department of Health (DOH) show.

According to Lei Alviz’s Wednesday report on “24 Oras,” the DOH presented data to local government units comparing new cases recorded from June 8 to 21 and from June 22 to July 8.

The following case growth rates were recorded in eight provinces:

• Rizal - 113% growth change with 889 cases as of July 5
• Laguna - 126% growth change with 832 cases as of July 5
• Negros Occidental - 212% growth change with 166 cases as of July 5
• Iloilo - 406% growth change with 166 cases as of July 5
• Zamboanga Del Sur - 121% growth change with 253 cases as of July 5
• Camarines Sur - 1,400% growth change with 65 cases as of July 5
• Agusan Del Norte - 200% growth change with 60 cases as of July 5
• Surigao Del Norte - 4,000% growth change with 44 cases as of July 5

While Surigao Del Norte posted the highest case growth rate, data show that it was only because 41 new infections reported between June 22 to July 5 were added to the lone case recorded from June 8 to 21.

New cases in Metro Manila also rose by 54% from 2,234 between June 8 and 21 to 3,437 from June 22 to July 5, bringing the total to 16,260.

Meanwhile, new cases dropped by 34% in Leyte to 107 from June 22 to July 5 compared to 161 between June 8 and 21.

Metro Manila cases

In Metro Manila, San Juan posted the biggest increase in new cases at 180% after new infections rose to 28 from June 22 to July 5 from only 10 between June 8 and 21, bringing the total to 391.

“It is big in terms of percentage but small in terms of numbers… continuous mass testing, contact tracing, isolation, and medical interventions are being done by San Juan in order to lower the number of positive patients,” San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora said.

The San Juan Health Office identified Agora Market as the epicenter of new cases in the city since 23 of the new patients are vendors there and workers at the Palacio de Maynila.

Zamora has ordered the temporary closure of the market until July 15 while awaiting the release of more test results.

After San Juan, the following Metro Manila cities posted the highest case growth rates:

• Parañaque - 142% growth change with 962 cases as of July 5
• Malabon - 134% growth change with 442 cases as of July 5
• Pateros - 114% growth change with 79 cases as of July 5
• Pasay - 99% growth change with 785 cases as of July 5
• Taguig - 93% growth change with 895 cases as of July 5
• Valenzuela - 88% growth change with 539 cases as of July 5
• Mandaluyong - 71% growth change with 787 cases as of July 5
• Pasig - 25% growth change with 955 cases as of July 8
• Caloocan - 25% growth change

Meanwhile, new cases were on a downtrend in Marikina, Manila, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Navotas, and Makati.

The DOH pinned the rise in new cases on increased contact among people due to the easing of quarantine restrictions and a lack of enforcement and observance of minimum health standards.

“Most of what is happening right now is because of community transmission,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.

Makikita niyo ‘yung mga tao nasa kalye and some of them are not even practicing physical distancing, some of them are not using masks, nasa baba lang nila. So ‘yung mga ganitong pagkakataon, ito ‘yung talagang gustong gusto ng virus,” she added. -MDM, GMA News