Marikina cases take 14 days to double

MARIKINA, Philippines — It now takes at least 14 days for cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to double in number in Marikina City, Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said yesterday.

He said that from an 11.7-day doubling time rate of COVID-19 cases last month, health officials found that cases now take 14.68 days to double as of this month.

Teodoro said the attack rate (the proportion of exposed people that become ill) of the virus in Marikina was at 20 percent, which was second to the lowest in Metro Manila, next to Pateros.

“The idea is the little number of people who interact, co-mingle – the lower the attack rate and the viral transmission,” Teodoro said.

“But in the case of Marikina, having a population of 450,000, the ratio was good and the deceleration rate of COVID-19 is high,” he added.

Based on the Department of Health figures for Metro Manila, Marikina City is still one of the cities with the lowest attack rates with only 911, which is equivalent to 20 percent.

Teodoro attributed the figures to the discipline of his constituents, mass testing and the massive contact tracing being conducted in communities.

As of yesterday, Marikina has recorded 501 active cases, 49 deaths and 473 recoveries–a total of 1,023 confirmed cases.