The Department of Health in Region 7 (DOH-7) Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU) declared over the weekend that Central Visayas is now experiencing a third wave of COVID-19 infections.
Authorities said the third wave or resurgence of cases began in May this year. The first wave was reported in September 2020 and was followed by another in February this year.
The declaration was due to an increase of COVID-19 cases in several Central Visayas areas, including Negros Oriental, Bohol, and Cebu City.
“By saying there is a wave does not inject fear. I would not like to inject fear, nor panic to the community and to the public. Iyan ay isa lamang sa ating description na makikita natin sa ating epidemic curve na in fact there is really a wave that is happening in Central Visayas,” DOH-7 RESU chief Dr. Eugenia Mercedita Cañal said.
Currently, Cebu City has 1,114 active cases, Lapu-Lapu City has 447, and Mandaue City has 340 cases. Bohol also has 1,987 active cases, Cebu has 861, Negros Oriental has 3,563, and Siquijor has 32.
Among the factors behind the surge is the mutation of virus and decline in minimum health protocol compliance. The RESU said they have not yet detected any Delta variant cases in the region.
Authorities said there is no cause for alarm in terms of healthcare capacity which remains high, especially in places with a high number of cases.
“The wave will become alarming kung ang ating critical care utilization rate ay hindi na siya maka-cope sa ating mga cases. But as of now, our critical care utilization rate is below the critical point na sinabi nila na 60,” Cañal said.
“‘Di ba ang limit natin is 60, so we are still in the 30s, but let’s not still be over confident about that,” Cañal added.
Central Visayas has not yet seen the need to escalate its quarantine status, but urged the public to follow protocols to prevent overwhelming health capacities. – Report from John Aroa/PTV Cebu/AG-rir
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