With an all-time high positivity rate of 34.5% in September 2021 now down to 22.19%, the Department of Health XI cited commendable interventions done in the previous weeks to control the COVID-19 surge in Davao Region.
“We have recorded the highest positivity rate of 34.5% sometime in September and now we have recorded a decreasing positivity rate which is at 22.19%,” DOH XI head of the Surveillance and Epidemiology Unit Dr. Rachel Pasion announced in the latest DOH Virtual Presser.
The DOH XI attributed the decrease on transmission of COVID-19 cases to the implementation of quick granular lockdown done by the local government units.
An improved and better information dissemination was also observed which led to the change in people’s behavior who are now more conscious in following the minimum public health standards. More people have also translated behavior change by submitting themselves for vaccination.
In the DOH daily bulletin as of October 6, the region recorded 526 new cases out of the total 18,582 active cases. About 77.6% or 74,930 of these cases are considered total recoveries while 1,034 are recently declared recovered.
In the previous weeks, daily cases would reach as high as 1,000 or more. Morbidities due to COVID-19 have also reduced with only 19 new deaths.
The DOH data also showed that majority or 94.8% of the active cases are mild and asymptomatic; only 4.8% or 901 cases are tagged as severe while 0.4% or 67 cases are critical.
In terms of hospital bed utilization, the DOH XI data also showed better numbers on available beds as compared to the previous weeks when the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) announced full occupancy of the said facility.
Regionwide, there are still 57 available ICU beds; 315 available isolation beds; 453 available ward beds; and 58 available ventilators.
Among the Davao Region provinces, Davao City still has the most number of active cases with 6,669 and 194 new cases. Davao del Sur followed in terms of highest active cases with a total of 5,082.
However, recording an increased number of new cases recently is Davao del Norte with 127.
The DOH XI identified 16 barangays in Davao del Norte which have been found to be source of case clustering; ten of these 16 barangays are all in Tagum City.
Dr. Pasion reiterated that while the region is now seeing a downward movement of the COVID-19 surge, the agency continues to remind the people to strictly follow and live by the principles of the minimum health protocols and to proactively submit themselves for vaccination. (PIA XI/Frances Mae Macapagat)
