OCTA: Calabarzon now at moderate risk for COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — All provinces in Calabarzon may now be considered at “moderate” risk for COVID-19 due to the continuous decline in new cases in recent days, according to a member of the OCTA Research Group.

Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon recorded negative growth rates in average new cases in the past week, OCTA fellow Guido David said yesterday.

Despite the drop in cases, David said Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Quezon still have “high” average daily attack rates (ADAR) of more than 10 new infections per 100,000 people.

Quezon had a moderate ADAR of 7.43 as of Jan. 31.

David said Cavite, Laguna and Quezon have “very high” positivity rates of over 20 percent. This means more than two in every 10 COVID tests conducted in the provinces turn out to be positive.

Batangas had a high positivity rate at 20 percent while Rizal had a moderate eight percent.

Reproduction number or individuals that a COVID-positive person can infect went down to less than 1.0 in all the provinces in Calabarzon.

Health care utilization was less than 50 percent, considered as “low” based on metrics used by OCTA.

Mindanao cases increasing

While cases have peaked in many areas in the country, David said new cases are still increasing in some provinces, mostly in Mindanao.

These are Bukidnon, Camiguin, Cotabato, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Negros Oriental, Sarangani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

OCTA has yet to release its full report on the COVID situation in the provinces.

Infected cop dies

Meanwhile, a policewoman with the rank of chief master sergeant assigned in Zamboanga City died of COVID-19 while being treated in a hospital on Jan. 26, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday.

The policewoman’s medical records showed that she was fully vaccinated with China-made Sinovac.

The patient reportedly suffered from diabetes and renal disease.

A total of 127 PNP members have succumbed to the virus since the COVID-19 pandemic started in March 2020.

On Monday, 208 PNP personnel tested positive for the virus, bringing the active infections to 1,489.

The cases were lower by 45.45 percent compared to the 2,730 recorded last week.