OCTA flags ‘very high’ positivity rate in Puerto Princesa at 77 percent

This file photo handout illustration image obtained Feb. 27, 2020 courtesy of the National Institutes of Health taken with a scanning electron microscope shows SARS-CoV-2 (yellow)—also known as 2019-nCoV, the virus that causes COVID-19—isolated from a patient in the US, emerging from the surface of cells (blue/pink) cultured in the lab. AFP/National Institutes of Health via The Straits Times/Asia News Network

MANILA, Philippines — The OCTA Research group on Monday expressed alarm over the 77-percent COVID-19 positivity rate in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, significantly higher than Metro Manila’s 12 percent.

OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said the high positivity rate could be due to the lack of testing being conducted in the city.

“Yung Puerto Princesa, yung positivity rate nila nasa 77 percent, sobrang taas. Kulang sila sa testing. Mukhang kinakapos yung testing nila doon kasi dati hindi naman sila nagkakasurge, baka kulang ang test kits nila,” David said in an interview over Teleradyo.

(In Puerto Princesa, their positivity rate is at 77 percent, it’s really high. They lack testing, it seems like they lack testing because they don’t have a surge before. Maybe they lack test kits.)

“Halos 8 out of 10, pag sampung may nagpa-test, eight doon nagpopositive,” he explained.

(If there are 10 people who get tested, almost eight turn out to be COVID-positive.)

READ: Puerto Princesa vice mayor tests positive for COVID-19

According to the Department of Health’s COVID-19 tracker, Puerto Princesa City has a total of 1,625 cases of which 345 are active as of May 16.

Puerto Princesa City is under general community quarantine until the end of May.

EDV