CEBU, Philippines — For over two months now, Cebu City has kept its positivity rate for Covid-19 below the World Health Organization threshold, said Emergency Operations Center deputy chief implementer City Councilor Joel Garganera.
Yesterday, the city logged a 0.59% positivity rate with only four of the 675 tested turning out positive. The World Health Organization’s threshold is 5%.
According to Garganera, the fact that Cebu City has been able to keep its PR below 1% for over two months now shows that the city remains safe despite all the mass gatherings from political rallies and concerts before and after the May 9 national and local elections.
In the last 14 days, the highest number of daily new cases logged was six, recorded last May 19. Most days only have two new cases.No deaths due to Covid-19 have been recorded this month so far.
The new four additional cases noted on May 21 bring the city’s total cases to 24, which are spread in 14 barangays.
The majority of the active cases are under home isolation and only three are in hospitals.
Of the four newly added cases, one is a re-infection. With this, everyone is still reminded to keep following the minimum public health protocols set, said Garganera.
“Our PR is less than 1% for over two months na. We are safely within the WHO 5%. Again, let us not be complacent. Kaya nato ni busa amping ug ampo kanunay,” said Garganera.
By keeping its numbers low, the city has also remained under Alert Level 1. The city government also continues to advocate for vaccination against Covid-19 for those who have not yet had their primary series, especially school children 5 years old and above, ahead of in-person classes. Booster shots for the eligible population are also being encouraged.
For those who have their first boosters already, a second booster shot can already be availed by immunocompromised individuals at least three months after their first booster dose while seniors and healthcare workers can have theirs at least four months after their first booster shot. — JMD (FREEMAN)