DAVAO Region is recently seeing a sudden surge in Covid-19 cases.
Since the start of May, the region has been recording new cases in the three digits. However, in the last three days, the region recorded an unusually high number of new Covid-19 cases.
On May 25, the Department of Health in Davao Region reported 271 new Covid-19 cases. On May 26, when the region registered 317 new cases. This is the highest number of new cases in a single day since the pandemic began. Then on May 27, the region recorded 261 new Covid-19 cases. Active cases in the region are now at 2,415.
Department of Health (DOH) Epidemiology Bureau director Dr. Alethea de Guzman said Davao is among the nine regions in the country that posted positive two-week growth rates as of May 22.
The recent increase in active Covid-19 cases has also resulted in temporary treatment and monitoring facilities and hospitals being at critical levels. The last time we were here was during the pre-holiday surge in the fourth quarter of 2020 and the post-holiday surge in January and February.
Health authorities have attributed the increase in Covid-19 cases to the complacency of some. Based on the reports they have received, DOH-Davao regional director Dr. Anabelle Yumang said cases of transmission have been recorded in social gatherings, hospitals, and workplaces.
The agency also noted that transmissions were happening during mealtime in offices and establishments, when the number of participants exceeds the set maximum limit, and when face masks and face shields are not being properly worn.
However, it should be noted that the increase in cases also means that the surveillance testing of the local government units may also be working. Data showed that a large number of individuals were tested in the last three days. A total of 2,169 on May 25, 3,441 on May 26, and 2,282 on May 27.
On one hand, data would tell that the higher number of persons who tested positive in the last three days shows that there is widespread infection happening in communities. On one hand, the detection of these cases means that health authorities and local government units can stop chains of transmissions.
The sudden increase in Covid-19 cases should not be taken lightly. We saw what is happening in other countries and areas that are experiencing another wave of Covid-19 cases. Their hospitals are being overwhelmed and lockdowns are being implemented.
At the rate we are going, Davao Region is at risk of going into a stricter quarantine measure. In the case of Davao City, Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio said they are considering bringing the food and medicine pass and no movement Sundays back in a bid to control the Covid-19 cases.
If we do not want to go into stricter quarantine measures, let us be disciplined enough to follow minimum health protocols -- wearing face masks, observing social distancing, and regular washing or sanitizing of hands.