DOH: Spike in Davao COVID cases continuous

MANILA, Philippines — The rising number of coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 cases in Davao City is under close monitoring by the Department of Health (DOH).

The DOH said the spike in confirmed cases in the city “is continuous as of this time.”

Davao City has been classified as “medium risk” based on its average daily attack and two-week growth rates.

“Davao region’s critical care is at 72 percent as of the latest report,” the DOH said.

Part of the monitoring activities is identification of the areas where an increase in cases and a significant percentage of the population was affected have been observed.

The DOH said an increase in COVID-19 cases was also recorded in Baguio City, but the situation has improved.

OCTA research, a group of academics from the University of the Philippines and University of Sto. Tomas, had earlier warned the public on the surge of confirmed cases in Davao City and Baguio, which they described as ”hotspots of serious concern.”

The DOH said some local government units have maintained low or a decrease in the number of cases with the strict implementation of minimum health protocols.

“This is a positive signal that we are controlling transmission and we have identified what effectively slowed down COVID transmission,” the DOH said.

In Negros Occidental, the positivity rate or those who tested positive for the virus out of the total number of those who underwent swab testing, is down to 3.6 percent as of Wednesday.

The province has recorded 1,101 active cases.

Another cop dies of COVID-19

Meanwhile, another police officer died of COVID-19, bringing the death toll in the police force to 25.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said the fatality is a 42-year-old non-commissioned officer assigned at the Soccsksargen regional police office.

The total number of confirmed cases in the PNP is now 7,758, with 24 recorded on Wednesday.

A majority of the fresh cases are from regional police offices. Ilocos logged the highest at 12.

Total recoveries were recorded at 7,338, with 45 added on Wednesday.

Mayor’s kin

In Nueva Ecija, the wife and parents of Mayor Emerson Pascual of Gapan City contracted the virus.

Pascual said he and his sister, provincial board member Joy, tested negative for the virus but would still go on self-quarantine for 14 days.

As this developed, Quirino’s COVID-free status was short-lived after it recorded a new case yesterday.

The province regained its COVID-free status on Monday after the remaining patients, a police officer and his son in Nagtipunan town, have recovered. – Raymund Catindig, Gilbert Bayoran, Neil Jayson Servallos