3rd wave of COVID-19 cases in Central Visayas — DOH

MANILA, Philippines — Central Visayas is experiencing a third wave of COVID-19 infections, according to the Department of Health (DOH) regional office.

“We are in a third wave now. We have been monitoring the cases in the last four weeks in Central Visayas, not just Cebu City, and our epidemic curve shows an upward trend,” Eugenia Mercedita Cañal, head of the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of DOH-Central Visayas, said yesterday.

Cañal said four factors, including the virus itself, which keeps on evolving, contributed to the surge in cases.

She said the new COVID-19 variants resulted in the spike of transmission.

Cañal said social events or the gathering of people who do not observe public health measures also fueled the increase in cases.

She also cited non-observance of minimum health protocols, such as wearing of face mask, washing of hands and physical distancing. More people spend time indoors without proper ventilation, she added.

Cañal said inequitable and uneven distribution of vaccines was another factor for the increase in cases.

“With these major factors mentioned, the virus will persistently thrive,” she said.

Van Phillip Baton, DOH regional spokesperson for vaccines, said it is not an issue of allocation, but access to COVID-19 jabs.

Baton said the most exposed and vulnerable are being prioritized for inoculation due to limited vaccine supply.

“However, those who need it the most are also taking their time in getting vaccinated,” he said.

Baton noted that less than 25 percent of senior citizens in the region have received their COVID-19 vaccines.

As of Friday, Central Visayas recorded 8,295 active cases.

Negros Oriental still has the most number of cases at 3,639; followed by Bohol, with 2,244, and Cebu City, 1,005.

Cebu province recorded 701 active cases while Siquijor has 20.

Positivity rate in the region was recorded at 9.31 percent, which is higher than the World Health Organization threshold of five percent.

Critical care occupancy rate in 14 public and private hospitals remains in the safe zone at 32.7 percent. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol/The Freeman