Philippine COVID-19 Levels Improve In Bacolod, Cebu, Mandaue - OCTA

Independent research monitor OCTA Research says that three key cities in the provinces have improved their COVID status. Bacolod, Cebu, and Mandaue are now “high risk” after previously being “very high risk.” OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David shared data on Twitter covering highly urbanized cities in Visayas. Lapu-Lapu, Ormoc, and Tacloban were previously lowered to high-risk status. The improvements in the respective Philippine COVID growth rates of these Visayan cities bodes well in their battle against the coronavirus.

Improved Visayas Growth Rates

The Department of Health provided the data that OCTA Research analyzed and released. Bacolod recorded a -36% one-week growth rate; Cebu City was at -46%; and Mandaue at -53%. Lapu-Lapu had a -49% one-week growth rate while Ormoc recorded -40% and Tacloban was at -63%.

Although Iloilo City was at -35% one-week growth rate, it remains classified as very high-risk. Iloilo City’s healthcare utilization rate (HCUR) was at 71%, justifying its high-risk classification. Healthcare utilization rate in the other six cities was at either low or moderate risk.

This data all marks an improvement from data David showed just three days prior. Bacolod, Cebu, Iloilo, and Mandaue were marked as very high risk on February 1. Lapu-Lapu, Ormoc, and Tacloban had already reached high-risk level then.

Omicron and low vaccination rates

Cebu province had just been marked as the province with the most new COVID cases one week ago. David and OCTA Research had Cebu logged 1,469 new COVID-19 cases on January 29. The Department of Health had, at that point, observed an increase in new positive cases particularly in Western and Central Visayas.

The sudden dominance of the more contagious Omicron variant has seen a rise in COVID-19 vases worldwide. Countries that had seen low positive rates suddenly found themselves with high rates once more as 2021 ended and 2022 began. Plans for several countries to ease restrictions and open borders once more were canceled in the wake of Omicron.

The dissemination of the COVID-19 vaccine was designed to help battle the coronavirus and give added protection to those receiving it. One hundred twenty-eight million vaccine doses have been given in the Philippines so far. Over 59.3 million are fully vaccinated. Only 54.2% of the Philippine population have been fully vaccinated. The low vaccination rate and rise of Omicron have contributed to the slow opening and closing of Filipino businesses.

Philippine COVID numbers now

The good news is that the Omicron spike seems to have already passed in the Philippines. A single-day high of 39,004 Philippine COVID positive cases in mid-January. The reinforcement of restrictions seems to have worked in lowering new cases. By no means do these mean that health protocols should no longer be observed.

A relatively lower number of 8,702 new COVID cases were reported on February 3. That equates to a 25.5% positivity rate. A total of 8,463 or 97% of the newly reported cases occurred within the most recent 14 days. Western Visayas (1,039 cases), Central Visayas (799 cases) and Davao region (785 cases) were the top regions with cases in the recent two weeks.

The intensive care unit (ICU) bed utilization rate in Metro Manila and nationwide was at 37% and 44%, respectively. Isolation and ward beds in Metro Manila are 32%t and 36% used up, respectively. The rate is 43% for both nationwide. A steady decrease in positive numbers should further improve the COVID status of provincial cities, not just Metro Manila.

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