CORONAVIRUS cases recorded in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) increased by 37.6 percent since September 9, 2020, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

From the 883 cases recorded on September 9, DOH–CAR on Thursday reported the region has 1,215 confirmed cases with 16 deaths at a 1.03 percent case fatality rate and 913 or 75.1 percent recoveries, with a prevalence rate of 67.5 per 100,000 population.

As of September 23, a total of 87,416 or 4.8 percent of individuals out of the 1.8 million population in CAR have been tested, with 1,215 or 1.39 percent confirmed positive. Kalinga Province has the highest number at a 3.6 percent positivity rate.

Doctor Ruby Constantino, DOH–CAR regional director, said case doubling time in the region is at 17.4 days, while the critical care utilization rate was at 41 percent with more males affected at 50.8 percent.

“Out of the 1,215 cases recorded, 273 are still admitted but are in stable condition, while 11 are severe and two critical cases are closely being monitored and observed,” Constantino said.

DOH–CAR attributed the additional 332 cases to the expanded testing capacity, particularly in Baguio City.

“Before, there was a time wherein the testing of BGHMC (Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center) was only limited to the risk population and, eventually, expanded through the National Red Cross,” Constantino added.

According to the DOH top official, as of Thursday, Baguio City recorded 629 Covid-19 cases, Benguet with 275, Kalinga with 154, Abra with 72, Ifugao with 40, Apayao with 30 and Mountain Province with 16.

DOH-CAR reported that out of the 72 municipalities, 58 or 76.3 percent have a clustering of cases.