Covid cases nears 7K level, Mankayan still in critical risk
AN ADDITIONAL 1,253 confirmed Coronavirus disease (Covid19) cases or a 22% increase was added to
the latest data of the Department of Health – Cordillera Administrative Region (DOHCAR) as of December 16.
Doctor Ruby Constantino, regional director of DOH-CAR explained that as of the moment, Cordillera region ranks 9th among 16 other regions in the country having the most number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the last two weeks.
“In the Cordillera region, we now have a total of 6,994 confirmed cases with 694 cases still admitted but in stable condition,80 deaths have been recorded giving the region a 1.14% case fatality rate. As to our average daily attack rate ( ADAR), a two week growth rate, the region is in moderate risk with an 80% speed of increase in the number of cases in the region or is at 4.65% with a target of at least 1%,” Constantino said.
Cordillera’s Covid – 19 cases in December 1 was at 5,741 with 5,202 recoveries or a 90.6% recovery rate.
Baguio City and Benguet Province remains in high risk for having the most cases at 50% for Baguio and at 38% for Benguet Province.
“The Baguio – La Trinidad – Itogon – Tublay - Tuba (BLISTT) ADAR data indicates these areas to be at high risk with Mankayan in Benguet in critical risk. Clustering of cases were recorded where crowding of people usually observe such as in private and government places, households, enclose and semi close facilities and in commercial or public areas,” the regional director stated.
The health department identifies an area under critical and moderate risk based on the growth rate and the ADAR. Mankayan was identified as critical risk because of the speed of increase which is 231% considered by the health department as high with a 60.79 ADAR data.
“Ever since we noticed the increasing case in Mankayan specially there at Lepanto Mines, testing have been done everyday and data shows a gradual decrease in the number of cases,” Constantino added.
On Wednesday, the municipal government of Mankayan disclosed 40 new recoveries were transferred to their respective houses.
Benguet has 500 active cases with 2,153 recoveries and 26 deaths.
The town of Mankayan recorded the most active cases with 218, followed by La Trinidad recorded 145 active cases, Tuba with 38 and Itogon with 45.
At least 2,000 individuals are being targeted for the two-day aggressive mass testing in Mankayan.
On Dec. 16, a total of 927 patients were swab tested in the town, 194 swab in Poblacion, 376 in Sapid, and 357 in Paco.
On Dec. 17, stakeholders’ avail of the second and last day of the aggressive community testing program spearheaded by Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and National Task Force.
In Benguet’s capital town of La Trinidad, the health workers and the BCDA also conducted its third day of mass testing in the town.
In the mining town of Itogon, the municipal health services office conducted an aggressive community testing on Wednesday with 258 swab tested in two barangays.
The Covid-19 testing will continue until Friday, Dec. 18 to test all food and non- food business establishment personnel and public utility jeepney and tricycle drivers.