Davao City surpassed QC in having highest average daily COVID-19 cases —OCTA

Davao City has surpassed Quezon City in having the highest average number of daily COVID-19 cases, an expert from OCTA Research said Tuesday.

Interviewed on Unang Hirit, Dr. Guido David said he cannot tell the cause of the spike in Mindanao but pointed out that some infected travelers managed to pass border controls.

“Today, nalagpasan na ng Davao City 'yung Quezon City sa seven-day average. Yung average ng Davao City, 213 cases per day. Sa Quezon City, 207,” he said.

(Today, Davao City surpassed Quezon City in seven-day average number of cases. The average of Davao City is 213 cases per day, compared to 207 in Quezon City.)

“So Davao City na yung pinakamaraming average number of cases per day [So  Davao City now has the highest average number of cases per day],” he added.

On Monday, OCTA Research identified some cities in Mindanao as areas of concern due to the continued spread of COVID-19. These cities include Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Koronadal, Cotabato and Davao.

Davao City saw a 54% rise in infections over the past week, or from 134 cases to 206 cases for the period May 31 to June 6, according to OCTA’s report.

Last week, the national government placed Davao City under modified enhanced community quarantine from June 5 to 20 to stem the spread of the disease.

Dr. Marjorie Culas, Davao City assistant health officer, on Monday said 403 employees of a business process outsourcing (BPO) firm in Davao City have tested positive for COVID-19.

Culas said that the COVID-19 positivity rate in Davao City is at 7.47%, higher than the Department of Health standard of 5%.

Moreover, Davao City’s average COVID-19 daily attack rate is at 8.34 per 100,000 population for the last two weeks, while the healthcare utilization rate amid the pandemic is at 85% which is under critical level, Culas also said.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte has already called on her constituents to strictly observe health protocols and immediately report positive COVID-19 cases to authorities so that swift and appropriate action can be made to prevent further transmission.

Davao City is the hometown of President Rodrigo Duterte. Mayor Sara is his daughter.  —KBK, GMA News