The OCTA Research team reported on Sunday (Aug. 29) that the COVID-19 situation in Cebu City is “improving,” following the decrease in the reproduction number in the city.
Based on the OCTA’s data, the city’s reproduction number decreased to 1.02 while its weekly growth rate is at -20%. However, the group explained that the reproduction number must be less than 1 to say that the COVID-19 transmission in the area has slowed down.
“The reproduction number has decreased to 1.02 and weekly growth rate at -20%. This is in line with our projections (and contrary to what others were saying) that Cebu City has been improving,” OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David announced on Twitter.
In today’s (Aug. 30) Laging Handa public briefing, David elaborated that the decrease of the reproduction number is “in line” with their projections two to three weeks ago.
“Sinabi namin na bumaba na iyong hawaan sa Cebu City at mukhang magkakaroon ng downward trend by first week of September. Ito nga nakita na natin nag-decrease na to less than one iyong reproduction number sa Cebu City at pababa na iyong bilang ng kaso.”
OCTA Research member Prof. Ranjit Rye said Cebu City’s interventions such as implementation of the quarantine restrictions, testing, tracing, isolation, and the compliance with the minimum health standards were “successful.”
“Successful na po iyong intervention, it needs a little more time po para talagang ganap na ho iyong pagbaba. So, iyon po iyong aming tingin sa sitwasyon sa Cebu, it is on a positive downward trend and we’re hoping that it can be sustained,” he said.
In relation to this, Cebu City Emergency Operation Center Head Joel Garganera affirmed that their restrictions bore “fruitful” results. Based on the center’s data, the city’s active cases are now down to 3,187.
“Nagbunga talaga ang ating mga restrictions. Medyo naipit ang ating ekonomiya, pero nagbunga talaga. Directions are really declining and in fact, right now line of one na lang tayo, and then most likely by tomorrow we will be below 3,000 na ang active cases.”
Garganera reported that the situation of Cebu City’s healthcare system is gradually improving in the past six days.
Meanwhile, he emphasized that the city should maintain its stringent community quarantine status for the continuous improvement of the COVID-19 situation in the city.
Report from John Aroa, Mark Fetalco/NGS-rir
