Muntinlupa links high recovery rate to mass testing

MANILA, Philippines — The city government of Muntinlupa has claimed to have the highest recovery rate for new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients in Metro Manila.

In a report on Monday, city health officer Dr. Teresa Tuliao said that Muntinlupa’s recovery rate was at 56.85 percent, currently the highest among local government units in the National Capital Region.

The average recovery rate in the metropolis stands at 23 percent, compared to 21 percent nationwide, according to the Department of Health.

As of May 17, there were 197 confirmed cases in Muntinlupa with 113 recoveries and 28 deaths.

Tuliao attributed the high recovery rate to the city’s “intensified targeted mass testing, including contract tracing, isolation strategies, and treatment of confirmed and [suspected cases].”

As of Saturday, around 2,005 residents, including front-liners, had been tested with positive cases referred to quarantine facilities, while their close contacts and families were isolated.

The city health office also reported that transmission of COVID-19 was already slowing down based on the improving “doubling time” of confirmed cases.

As of Monday, the doubling time in Muntinlupa improved to eight days, compared with the national average of 4.6 days. INQ