SEPTEMBER 20 to 26 was not a very good week for Davao Region in terms of the Covid-19 situation.
Based on the data gathered from the daily posts of the Department of Health (DOH) in Davao, the region registered 275 new cases from September 20 to 26. This is the most number of Covid-19 cases recorded in a single week in the region. This is higher than the 183 new cases registered the previous week, September 13 to 19.
The region also recorded 11 new deaths from September 20 to 26. This is the most number of Covid-19 deaths recorded in a single week since March.
Meanwhile, only 166 new recoveries were recorded from September 20 to 26. This is slightly lower than the 168 new recoveries recorded on September 13 to 19.
It should also be noted that the region breached the 500-mark in terms of active cases on September 26. Active cases on that date were at 503. The last time active cases were this high was during the first and second weeks of August 2020. Davao Occidental and Davao del Sur saw a quick rise in its active cases throughout the week.
By the end of the week, September 26, total Covid-19 cases in the region inches closer to the 3,000-mark with 2,921 cases. Of this number 2,330 have recovered, 88 have died, and 503 are active cases.
With these numbers in mind, the public should be reminded that while we are under the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) in Davao Region, it does not mean that the virus is not around anymore. The virus is still very much alive and lurking in the shadows and ready to infect us when it sees an opportunity.
Compared to other areas in the country, the cases here, according to previous interviews with officials from DOH-Davao, are also still manageable. However, we should not be complacent.
"Discipline is the new normal," says the updated campaign slogan of DOH. As we attempt to balance the economy and control the spread of the disease in the country, it is important that the general public be disciplined with regards to the minimum health standards.
This means that we should wear our face masks, observe physical distancing, and wash our hands. Following these simple health protocols not only protects us but also the people around us and those we regularly interact with.
Vaccines and treatments against the Covid-19 are already in varying stages of development. However, considering the logistics of vaccine distribution and geopolitical dynamics, it will be a while before everyone will be vaccinated from the disease. Therefore, we must be disciplined and do our part in protecting one another from the disease and helping slow its transmission.