4 Luzon HUCs now 'very low risk' for COVID-19 –OCTA

COVID-19 cases in four highly urbanized cities in Luzon are now classified under “very low risk” category due to improved data, independent monitoring group OCTA Research said Monday.

In a tweet, OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David showed that as of Sunday, March 6, Angeles, Dagupan, Lucena, and Olangapo all have average daily attack rate (ADAR) of 0.55 and below.

ADAR pertains to the incidence showing the average number of new cases in a period per 100,000 people.

The positivity rate is also “very low” in the four areas with Angeles, Dagupan, and Lucena all recording 2%, while Olango has 3%.

The reproduction rate in these areas, along with other highly urbanized cities in Luzon, was also “very low,” ranging from 0.14 to 0.48, OCTA said.

Positivity rate refers to the percentage of people who were found positive for COVID-19 among the total number of individuals tested, while reproduction rate refers to the number of people infected by one case. A reproduction number that is below 1 indicates that the transmission of the virus is slowing down.

The healthcare utilization rate (HCUR), meanwhile, is lowest in Angeles with 1%, followed by Naga City with 3%. Both Dagupan and Santiago also reported an HCUR of 8%.

On the other hand, the National Capital Region (NCR), Baguio, Naga City, Santiago are considered at low risk for COVID-19.

NCR, which is under Alert Level 1 from March 1 to March 15, has a recorded ADAR of 1.57, positivity rate of 3%, reproduction rate of 0.24, and HCUR od 23%.

Palawan’s Puerto Princesa, however, is at moderate risk, indicating a “very high” positivity rate of 38%. Both its reproduction rate and HCUR are “very low” with 0.48 and 23% recorded, respectively. Its ADAR is also "low" at 1.68.

The Philippines on Sunday logged 870 new COVID-19 cases increasing the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 3,667,542. —KBK, GMA News