Baguio’s worst COVID-19 scene: 250 to 280 cases daily

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Coronavirus infections in this city driven by the Omicron variant are projected to reach 250 to 280 daily in a worst-case scenario.

Seeing the spike to begin in the middle of this month and to peak in the fourth week of February, the projections were based on statistical analysis of the University of the Philippines-Baguio and the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU), city health officer Rowena Galpo said over the weekend.

CESU chief Donnabel Panes said the projections were based on the current situation and are still subject to change.

Among the factors considered in making the assumptions were the number of cases recorded during the same period last year, the Delta variant surge experience and the vaccination rate.

Panes said they are hoping the Omicron surge will result in fewer hospitalizations and death, unlike the Delta variant experience wherein a higher number of severe cases and deaths were logged.

“We might be expecting a big number of cases, but what we would like to see is fewer people having severe symptoms and being hospitalized, considering the success of our vaccination program and the sustained control measures imposed by the city,” she said.

Initial analysis on data of active COVID patients from November to the first week of January showed how vaccination and compliance with health protocols helped achieved the target, Panes said.

She said there has been a 33 percent decrease in hospitalization among active COVID patients this month.