CEBU and Metro Cebu, which includes the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, were at low risk for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) transmission, said the Octa Research Group on Wednesday, September 28, 2022.
Octa fellow Dr. Guido David said Cebu and Metro Cebu’s average daily attack rate as of September 27 was at .77 per 100,000 population.
The average number of weekly cases was at 40, while the one-week growth rate was at 11 percent.
As of September 26, the positivity rate in the whole of Cebu was at 5.0 percent, which is within the recommended threshold of the World Health Organization (WHO), while the reproduction number was at .99, which means the cases are plateauing.
“The low positivity rate confirms that infections have decreased to low levels in Cebu,” said David.
Hospital utilization in the province also remained low at 27 percent, while intensive care unit occupancy was at 12 percent.
“All indicators for Cebu and Metro Cebu were favorable,” David added.
The government earlier lifted the mandatory wearing of face masks in open, well-ventilated and non-crowded areas across the country.
In June, Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia issued an order making the wearing of face masks in open areas in the province optional.
In August, Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama also adjusted the face masks policy in his areas of jurisdiction, making it optional both in open and enclosed spaces.
Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (Phapi) president Dr. Jose de Grano called on the public Tuesday, September 27, to continue wearing face masks amid the increase in cases in the country, but the Department of Health (DOH) said the rise in cases cannot only be attributed to the non-mandatory wearing of face masks.
DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said it can also be due to the increased mobility of the people following the opening of various sectors, as well as the resumption of face-to-face classes.
Earlier, David said the optional wearing of face masks in open spaces across the country is not seen to cause the increase in Covid-19 cases in the country provided that the policy is being strictly followed.
Under Executive Order 3 signed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. declaring the wearing of face masks in “open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation” across the country voluntary, the elderly, immunocompromised individuals and those who have not yet completed their Covid-19 vaccination are “highly encouraged” to continue wearing it for protection.
Individuals in public transport and students and teachers joining face-to-face classes are still required to wear face masks at all times. (SunStar Philippines)