Quezon City at 'moderate risk' as COVID-19 cases rise

Quezon City was classified as under "moderate risk" for COVID-19 as the number of COVID-19 cases rose in the past week, the Quezon City government said on Sunday.

From 221 cases, the number of COVID-19 infections went up to 245 cases, the local government unit said.

"Umakyat na rin sa 'moderate' risk ang level ng lungsod ayon sa DOH [Department of Health] at OCTA Research. Ibig sabihin, medyo mataas ang risk exposure sa COVID-19," it said in a Facebook post.

(The level of the city went up to 'moderate' risk according to the DOH and OCTA Research. This means the risk of exposure to COVID-19 is a bit high.)

The positivity rate, or the percentage of people who were found positive for COVID-19 among the total number of individuals tested, also climbed to 15.2% from 12.9% based on data from independent group OCTA Research from July 26 to August 1, the LGU added.

However, the reproduction number, which refers to the number of people infected by one case, slightly went down to 1.29, it said.

The LGU reminded residents to continue observing health and safety protocols such as wearing face masks, avoiding 3Cs (confined, crowded, and close-contact settings), ensuring proper air ventilation, proper handwashing, and getting vaccinated with primary and booster shots. 

The DOH on Sunday recorded 4,621 new COVID-19 cases, increasing the total nationwide caseload to 3,803,955.

This is the fourth straight day with more than 4,000 new infections.

Active cases numbered 37,805 as of Saturday.

The number of recoveries climbed to 3,705,343 while the death toll rose by 18 to 60,807. —KG, GMA News