DOH-7: Central Visayas ‘flattens curve’ in COVID-19 cases

CEBU CITY –– About five months since quarantine restrictions were imposed, Central Visayas has managed to “flatten the curve” in coronavirus cases.

According to the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7), the region has recorded a low number of cases daily even after Cebu City, once a hot spot of coronavirus infections, shifted to a more relaxed modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) last September 1.

“We definitely have flattened the curve. The numbers we are seeing are very good. We are entering the second week of MGCQ. We haven’t hit beyond our expectations and we continue to be like that,” said Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, DOH-7 spokesperson, in an online press conference on Monday afternoon.

From over 200 COVID-19 cases per day in June and July, the newly recorded cases in Cebu City in the past few weeks range between five and 20.

Critical care utilization rate in hospitals is also down from more than 80 percent to 19 percent, said Loreche.

In Cebu City, a total of 9,688 cases have been recorded since the beginning of the pandemic. But as of September 6, the DOH-7 said the number of active cases was down to 351.

Loreche, however, reminded Cebuanos not to be complacent and to continue observing the health protocols like wearing of face masks, physical distancing, and staying indoors as much as possible.

Central Visayas, which includes Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, has recorded a total of 19,332 cases since the start of the pandemic.

At least 16,217 have recovered from the disease while 1,139 died.

The active cases in the region are now only 1,976.

Loreche urged more people to subject themselves to swab testing since they are also seeing a decline in the number of submitted swab tests in the various testing facilities.

The decline, however, she said, has not significantly affected their assessment of the situation in the region.

LZB