COVID-19 downtrend observed in 8 HUCs in Luzon —OCTA

Downward trends were observed in eight highly urbanized cities (HUCs) in Luzon amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the OCTA Research group said Wednesday.

In a tweet, OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David said these were Angeles, Baguio City, Dagupan, Lucena, Naga City, Olongapo, Puerto Princesa, and Santiago.

At present, David said Baguio City and Puerto Princesa are at high risk with an average daily attack rate of 31.28 per 100,000 population and 8.04 per 100,000 population, respectively.

Baguio has a reproduction number of 0.54 and a positivity rate of 28%, while Puerto Princesa has a reproduction number of 1.37 and a positivity rate of 100%.

The reproduction number refers to the number of people infected by one case. A reproduction number below 1 indicates that the transmission of the virus is slowing down.

Meanwhile, Angeles,  Dagupan, Lucena, Naga, Olongapo, and Santiago remained at moderate risk for COVID-19.

David advised the public to observe minimum health standards.

The Philippines on Tuesday logged 3,574 new COVID-19 cases

In a separate tweet, David said Bacolod, Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, Ormoc, and Tacloban have improved to moderate risk.

An ADAR of 12.93 was recorded for Bacolod, 16.53 for Cebu 11.15 for Mandaue, 14.83 for Lapu-Lapu, 3.99 for Ormoc, and 5.93 for Tacloban.

Meanwhile, Iloilo was downgraded to high risk with an ADAR of 36.43.

All HUCs have a reproduction number of less than 1. —KBK/RSJ, GMA News