Quezon City infection rate low among Metro LGUs’

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City’s COVID-19 infection rate is still among the lowest in Metro Manila if the entire population of the city is taken into account, Mayor Joy Belmonte said yesterday.

While the city leads the list of local government units (LGUs) in terms of absolute figures, Belmonte said assessments should take into account the fact that the city has three million residents.

“It is important for us to review the numbers in relation to the population of the city,” said Belmonte. “Given that our city is the most populous, an increase in numbers does not automatically translate to high numbers of infection throughout our population.”

Based on the latest report of the OCTA Research Group, Quezon City recorded an average of 443 new cases per day from March 10 to 16.

This translates to an infection rate of 14.2 percent per 100,000 people, the 10th among the 17 LGUs in Metro Manila.

Leading the list is Pasay City with 44.7 percent, followed by Makati at 27.4 percent, Navotas, 23.5; Marikina, 19.2; Malabon, 19; Mandaluyong, 18; Parañaque, 17.3; Manila, 17.2; and Pasig, 17.

OCTA fellow Guido David said the daily increases must always be monitored with respect to the number of inhabitants in an area in order to properly identify the infection.

“While Quezon City tops the list of cities with the most number of daily new cases, if we compare it to their population, the cases have not truly affected a large number of residents,” he said.

Belmonte said the city epidemiology and disease surveillance unit traced a total number of 16,133 contacts from March 6 to 13, up from 13,000 in the preceding week.

“The stringent effort to contact trace also helps us contain the spread because we were able to isolate them from their families and their communities,” she added.

According to David, Quezon City is doing its best to balance out the numbers with the different measures it implemented to address the surge in cases.

“Coupled with the city ordinances, health protocols and curfews, Quezon City will be able to control the infection,” he said.

As of yesterday, the city had a total of 38,405 cases, with 4,604 active, 32,930 recoveries and 871 deaths.