4 cities tagged as COVID-19 areas of concern

MANILA, Philippines — The OCTA Research Group has identified four cities as areas of concern as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the past week.

OCTA said Baguio, Davao, Iloilo and San Fernando in La Union also recorded high utilization rate of healthcare facilities.

Citing data from the Department of Health, OCTA said Davao recorded a daily average of 324 cases from June 25 to July 1, an increase of 43 percent from the 227 recorded in the preceding week.

The city had an incidence rate of 17.86 daily new cases per 100,000 people, which is classified as ”very high risk.”

Intensive care unit (ICU) bed utilization rate is at 89 percent, which is above the critical threshold of 70 percent.

After a period of decline, Iloilo recorded an increase in average daily cases again from 75 to 103, an increase of 38 percent.

The city had an incidence rate of 21.73 percent, with its hospital and ICU bed utilization above the critical threshold.

The number of new cases in Baguio rose by 30 percent from 43 to 56 per day. San Fernando logged an increase of 148 percent from 15 to 38.

The two areas recorded 15.10 and 29.31 daily new cases per 100,000 people, respectively.

OCTA also noted a 37-percent increase in new cases in San Pablo, Laguna from 26 to 35 per day. The city recorded an incidence rate of 12.09 percent and ICU bed utilization rate of 71 percent.

“The trends slowed down or saw a decline in many LGUs (local government units) in Mindanao and the Visayas, including Cagayan de Oro, Tagum, Zamboanga, Tacloban, Bacolod and Butuan,” the group said.

MECQ extended in Ilocos town

Meanwhile, in Ilocos Sur, Gov. Ryan Luis Singson issued an executive order (EO) extending the modified enhanced community quarantine in Magsingal town until July 15.

“Due to the still increasing number of new cases and sustained community transmission in some barangays in the municipality of Magsingal, the medical team of Ilocos Sur... sees the need to extend anew the modified enhanced community quarantine... in order to contain the virus,” the EO read.

Singson said the threat of COVID-19 in the province remains “very high and alarming” as there are 547 active cases with extensive contacts.

Fifty-one of the active cases are in Magsingal.

20 establishments locked down in Davao

In Davao City, the task force against COVID-19 is stepping up the lockdown of 20 establishments where a spike in COVID-19 cases were recorded.

Michelle Schlosser, city task force against COVID-19 spokesperson, said the increase in cases was traced to quarantine protocol violators.

The city’s district health offices are conducting risk assessments while health workers are checking the level of transmission.

Schlosser said the city government is also monitoring the work arrangements and observance of health protocols in these establishments.

She said the reopening of the establishments would be subject to certain requirements, such as disinfection and swab testing of all close contacts of those who tested positive for COVID-19. – Eva Visperas, Edith Regalado