Cebu City’s COVID-19 cases increase anew

CEBU, Philippines —  After taking a little breather, Cebu City’s active cases are slowly increasing again.

This time with 367, the biggest number of cases in nine days based on the data from the Emergency Operations Center.

Cebu City went as low as 263 last May 18, the lowest since January 8 of this year.

On May 22, there were 61 fresh cases noted by the EOC and only four recoveries that paved the way for a rise in the number of cases.

Its positivity rate, however, is still within the World Health Organization (WHO) threshold of 5% after posting only 4.63 percent coming out positive of the 1,339 tested.

Aside from that, Cebu City also has an additional death, making it now to 12 COVID-19 related deaths so far for the month of May.

Affected barangays with COVID-19 are also increasing again to 58 and only 22 others remain without a case.

Of the 61 additional cases, nine are from Guadalupe, seven from Hipodromo, six from Talamban, and three each from Apas, Banilad, and Kasambagan and two each from Bulacao, Cogon Pardo, Lahug, Pahina Central, and Tisa and one each from Bacayan, Basak San Nicolas, Camputhaw, Capitol, Inayawan, Kalubihan, Kalunasan, Kamagayan, Labangon, Luz, Mabini, Mabolo, Mambaling, Pahina San Nicolas, Punta Princesa, Sambag 1 and 2, San Antonio, Toong and Zapatera based on the line list sent to barangay officials.

Critical care utilization or occupancy rate remains very safe at 22.4% for both private and public hospitals combined. Of the 709 allocated beds for COVID-19, 205 are occupied.

A total of 20 other patients are isolated at the Cebu City Quarantine Center, 97 at the barangay isolation centers, and 55 in the hotels.

In the Department of Health-VII’s case bulletin on May 22, Cebu City has 435 with some of its recoveries still having to be validated along with that of the other LGUs.

Lapu-Lapu City, on the other hand, is left with 176 and Mandaue City with 178 while Cebu Province has 502 also based on the DOH-VII report.

Bohol, on the other hand, has 1,021 including the 33 new ones while Negros Oriental shot up to 1,044 after posting 113 new cases while Siquijor has nine active cases left. — GMR (FREEMAN)