WHILE a surge in cases have been reported in Visayas and Mindanao, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) numbers in the National Capital Region continue to slide down, the independent OCTA Research Team said yesterday.
In its latest COVID-19 Monitoring Report, the OCTA noted that newly-reported cases in Metro Manila dropped by 15 percent from June 15 to 21, for an average of 700 cases per day.
During the week of June 8 to 14, average daily cases was recorded at 824.
The group said the decrease in the NCR corresponds to an ADAR (average daily attack rate) of 5.07 per 100,000 population, which is already considered moderate-low.
On the other hand, the reproduction rate in the region is now at 0.73. The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the target is to maintain COVID-19’s reproduction rate at below 1.
The OCTA also noted that NCR has a 35 percent hospital bed occupancy, as well as 42 percent ICU bed occupancy.
It said both occupancy rates are considered as within safe levels.
Metro Manila is the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.
Given the continued improvement in the NCR situation, the OCTA said the national situation is similarly looking up.
This as new cases in the Philippines dropped by 8 percent to an average of 6,027 per day for June 15 to 21.
The daily average for the week of June 8 to 14 was 6,578 cases.
The OCTA also said the nationwide reproduction number during June 15-21 period was at 0.95.
On the other hand, the OCTA said it continues to consider five areas in Visayas and Mindanao as “areas of concern” due to either high ADAR or ICU occupancy rates.
The five are Davao City, Bacolod City, Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Tacloban City.
Having high average daily attack rates are Tacloban (20.76), Bacolod (19.63), Iloilo (18.54), Davao (13.55), and Cagayan de Oro (10.83).
OCTA also noted that having high ICU occupancy rates are Davao (96%), Iloilo (97%), and Cagayan de Oro (88%).
On Monday night, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III urged local government units in the Visayas and Mindanao to step up their enforcement of COVID-19 protocols, including the prevent, detect, isolate, treat, and reintegrate (PDTIR) strategy to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Duque, in his report to President Duterte, said while the cases in the NCR are on a downtrend, cases in Visayas and Mindanao continue to increase.
He called attention to the cases in the Davao Region (Regions XI), SOCCSKSARGEN (Region XI), CARAGA (Region XIII), and Western Visayas (Region VI), which he said had been registering higher daily and two-week attack rates.
“The cases in Mindanao are rising, also in the Visayas. So, we are reminding the local chief executives in the said areas to intensify the PDITR strategy and also improve their vaccination coverage,” he said.
Duque also reiterated the strict implementation of minimum protocols such as the mandatory wearing of masks and face shields, observing physical distancing and avoiding mass gatherings, frequent washing of hands and proper sanitation.
Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. reassured the LGUs that more vaccine supplies will be deployed to affected areas as soon as they arrive.
Department of Health Epidemiology Bureau Director Alethea De Guzman said one important measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 variants is to follow the current “10+4” quarantine scheme where incoming travelers are required to undergo a 10-day quarantine in a government facility followed by a four-day quarantine a home if they tested negative for COVID-19. — With Jocelyn Montemayor
