Navotas can bring its COVID-19 cases down, says Tiangco

In this file photo, health workers check residents at a free COVID-19 swab testing at a gymnasium in Navotas City, Philippines, on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. (AP File Photo/Aaron Favila)

MANILA, Philippines — Navotas City is confident it can bring down its COVID-19 cases to a minimum despite having the highest average daily attack rate in the country.

Navotas Mayor Toby Tiangco in a Facebook post on Saturday cited the recent figures from analytics group OCTA Research, which showed Navotas topping nationwide key cities in terms of the average daily attack rate (ADAR), which is at 47.67.

ADAR is the rate of infection per 100,000 of the population of a particular locale.  In this case, it shows that 47 individuals may get sick per 100,000 of Navotas’ population — due to a 215 percent increase in COVID-19 infections.

“Base sa pinakahuling ulat ng OCTA Research, Navotas ang may pinakamataas na Average Daily Attack Rate (ADAR) sa buong bansa simula Agosto 7-13, 2021. 215% ang itinaas ng kaso ng COVID-19 sa ating lungsod. 41 ang average daily case noon, ngayon, 129 na,” Tiangco said.

(Based on the last OCTA Research report, Navotas has the highest ADAR in the whole country from August 7-13, 2021.  The increase in COVID-19 infections within our city is at 215 percent — the average case back then was at 41, now it’s 129.)

“Dati, tayo ang may pinaka-mababang ADAR sa buong Metro Manila. Kung nakaya nating pababain ang mga kaso noon, sigurado akong kaya din natin ngayon,” he added.

(Before, we had the lowest ADAR in Metro Manila.  If we were able to lower the number of cases before, I’m sure we can do it also now.)

Earlier, OCTA Research said COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila have increased by 50 percent, which means the reproduction levels are now at critical levels.

This is despite Metro Manila being under an enhanced community quarantine due to the uptick in cases believed to be caused by the COVID-19 Delta variant, which is 60 percent more transmissible.

READ: COVID cases in NCR up by 50%; reproduction number now in ‘critical levels’ — OCTA 

In the table posted by Tiangco, Navotas tops nine other cities in terms of ADAR — including three other cities in Metro Manila:

Tuguegarao (47.39)
Mariveles (45.00)
Makati (37.19)
Santa Rosa (32.32)
Lapu-Lapu (30.99)
Pasay (29.44)
Imus (29.20)
Malolos (28.52)
Cebu City (28.29)

Tiangco pleaded to Navotas residents to continue observing health protocols to curb the spread of COVID-19, and to have themselves vaccinated against the disease.

“Marami na tayong mga kapamilya, kaibigan o kakilala na nagkasakit o namatay dahil sa COVID-19. Wag nating hayaan na may madagdag pa rito,” Tiangco said.

(We have several relatives, friends, or acquaintances who have either gotten sick or died due to COVID-19.  We should let the cases pile up.)

“Labanan natin ang salot na COVID-19 sa pamamagitan ng pag-iingat at pagsunod sa safety health protocols, lalo na ang tamang pagsusuot ng face mask. Magpabakuna para magkaroon ng proteksyon. Kapag walang nahahawaan, namamatay ang virus. Wag itong hayaang makapaminsala pa ng buhay at kabuhayan. #StaySafe #Navotas,” he added.

(We can fight the problems brought by COVID-19 by staying safe, following safety health protocols including the proper wearing of face masks.  Vaccinating to get protection is also important.  If there is no transmission, the virus will die, don’t let it damage your lives and livelihood.)

Earlier, the Department of Health (DOH) COVID-19 bulletin showed that the country once again broke its record for the highest single-day jump in cases, with new infections at 14,249 on Saturday.

This means that the active case count is now at 98,847.

READ: DOH: New COVID-19 cases hit 14,249; active cases near 100,000-mark 

/MUF