CORDILLERA Administrative Region (CAR) posted a 16 percent increase in the number of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases from June 17 to 22, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
Dr. Amelita Pangilinan, DOH-CAR director, said from June 16, the region recorded 15 new Covid-19 cases.
"CAR recorded 110 confirmed cases with 53 total recoveries or 48 percent with two deaths. The 15 new cases come from Benguet with seven, Baguio City with five, with Kalinga, Ifugao, and Mountain Province having one each,” Pangilinan said.
As of June 22, Baguio City has the most cases with 44, while Benguet has 36, followed by Abra and Apayao having eight confirmed cases each.
Kalinga has seven cases followed by Ifugao with six, and Mountain Province with one.
Pangilinan said CAR’s incidence rate is six per 100,000 population, while the case doubling time is at 13.62 days with 72 or 65 percent of males were affected by the coronavirus in the region.
“The increase of number detected as shown signifies the enhanced capacity of the country in conducting the RT-PCR test. More laboratories which are more than 60 have been accredited by the Department of Health and Research Institute for Tropical Medicine through the five step laboratory assessment application process namely self-assessment, on sight assessment, compliance, proficiency testing and full scale implementation,” Pangilinan said.
Pangilinan reiterated the importance of the five stages for local government units to be informed that despite having access to RT-PCR laboratory machines, this will have to be set up by competent and knowledgeable health specialists.
“The RT-PCR is a molecular testing method utilizing respiratory track samples and is still the recommended method for identification and laboratory confirmation of Covid-19 cases,” Pangilinan said.
DOH-CAR also noted that the region no longer has testing backlog for Covid- 19 after Ilocos and Central Luzon established their own testing laboratories.
Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center is currently testing 500 to 700 specimens per day for entire Cordillera.