Cebu City sees sustained dip in COVID-19 cases

CEBU, Philippines —  Amid the further easing of movement, Cebu City sees a sustained decline in the number of coronavirus cases.

In fact, the city has logged its lowest positivity rate for the year and more barangays have been recording zero transmission over the last 14 days.

Cebu City currently has 311 active cases as more recoveries than fresh cases were noted on October 20.

That day, 14 new cases, 20 recoveries, and one death were reported. With only 14 out of the 1,019 tested turning out positive, the city’s positivity rate stood at 1.35% that day, which is considered the lowest so far this year, according to Emergency Operations Center deputy chief implementer City Councilor Joel Garganera.

Also, 31 barangays have been without transmission, which means 49 others still have some active cases.

Guadalupe still has the most number of active cases at 27, followed by Talamban with 14, Guba with 11, and Tisa and Basak San Nicolas with 10 each.

The critical care utilization rate (CCUR) in all of the 15 hospitals in Cebu City is at 27.5%. For public hospitals, the CCUR is at 49% while for private hospitals, it is at 17.6%.

However, not all patients in these hospitals in Cebu City are from Cebu City.

Garganera attributed the latest development to all Cebuanos who have been religiously complying with health and quarantine protocols. However, he also reminded again everyone not to be complacent.

“Pero dili gyud ta mokumpyansa. Complacency is our number 1 enemy,” he said.

Garganera also continued to encourage those who have not yet been vaccinated to get one now to “have a better Christmas and New Year.”

“Mas momaayo ang atong Pasko ug Bag-ong Tuig og bakunado natang tanan,” he said. — JMD (FREEMAN)