‘Baguio COVID-19 transmission slowing down’

BAGUIO CITY , Philippines — The transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 in this city is slowing down, statisticians from the University of the Philippines-Baguio (UPB) said over the weekend.

The UPB based its conclusion on the latest data that its team submitted to the City Health Services Office and the City Public Information Office.

The team urged residents to continue observing health protocols to protect themselves and their loved ones.

City health officer Rowena Galpo said as of Nov. 18, the number of cases decreased by 17.26 percent and recoveries increased by 81.34 percent.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong welcomed the development, although he said the downtrend had been slow due to the reopening of economic activities and relaxed restrictions.

Magalong said people’s movement in Baguio may also be a factor in the slow downtrend as residents from other municipalities have been going in and out of the city freely.

Meanwhile, 18 more police officers tested positive for COVID,  bringing the total confirmed cases in the Philippine National Police to 7,817 as of Saturday.

A majority of the fresh cases came from Eastern Visayas with four and three each from Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos) and Caraga.

The rest came from Bangsamoro and Davao with two each, and the Cordilleras, Central Luzon, Central Visayas and the PNP national operational support unit with one each.  – Neil Jayson Servallos, Evelyn Macairan, Raymund Catindig