FILE PHOTO BUSY AGAIN People have been returning to San Pedro Street in Davao City since September, mindful of health protocols as restrictions are eased in the city. —BING GONZALES
MANILA, Philippines — Seven highly urbanized cities (HUCs) have logged record-high new COVID-19 infections on January 23, with Davao City posting almost 2,000 new cases, independent pandemic monitor Octa Research said Monday.
Guido David, a fellow of Octa Research, said that aside from Davao City, other HUCs are Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Davao City, General Santos, Mandaue, and Iloilo City.
Citing data from the Department of Health, the following are the record-high COVID-19 cases of the said HUCs:
Davao City – 1,831 new cases
Baguio – 902 new cases
Iloilo City – 793 new cases
Bacolod – 347 new cases
Butuan – 310 new cases
Mandaue – 285 new cases
General Santos – 188 new cases
Meanwhile, the following are the HUCs’ one-week COVID-19 growth rate:
Davao City – 316 percent
Mandaue – 228 percent
Butuan – 200 percent
Bacolod – 143 percent
Iloilo City – 168 percent
General Santos – 116 percent
Baguio – 68 percent
Baguio City and Iloilo City have a “severe” average daily attack rate (ADAR) at 161.90 and 95.84, respectively.
ADAR refers to the average number of fresh COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people.
HUCs New Cases on Jan 23. Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Davao City, General Santos, Iloilo City and Mandaue had record high new cases. Surge has not peaked yet in most HUCs outside NCR. @dzbb @DZAR1026 @dzrhnews @allangatus @ali_sotto @News5PH @NewsRmn @dwiz882 @dzme_1530khz pic.twitter.com/dYxvDBZsgZ
— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) January 24, 2022
Meanwhile, OCTA said HUCs’ reproduction number, the average number of individuals being infected by a positive case, is all “very high” at more than one, David said.
The ideal reproduction number must be less than one to indicate lesser COVID-19 spread, health experts said.
David also pointed out that the COVID-19 surge “has not peaked yet in most HUCs outside” Metro Manila.
The country posted 29,828 new COVID-19 infections on Sunday, driving the overall case count to 3,417,216.