FILE This vaccination site at Columban College in Olongapo City is among the venues for the mass COVID-19 inoculation. It was closed on Jan. 21 after some healthcare workers facilitating the vaccination were exposed to a COVID-19 patient. (Photo courtesy of Olongapo City Information Center)
MANILA, Philippines — Independent analytics group Octa Research on Thursday observed a downward trend of COVID-19 cases in seven highly-urbanized cities (HUCs) in Luzon outside Metro Manila, independent analytics group OCTA Research said Thursday.
“Downward trends [have been] observed in Angeles, Baguio City, Dagupan, Lucena, Naga City, Olongapo and Santiago. At moderate risk are: Angeles, Dagupan, Lucena, Naga City and Olongapo, while the others are at high risk,” OCTA Research fellow Guido David said over Twitter.
According to data shared by David, Angeles City recorded a one-week growth rate of -57 percent; Baguio City, -50 percent; Dagupan, -67 percent; Lucena, -57 percent; Naga City, -53 percent; Olongapo, -56 percent; and Santiago, -51 percent.
Only Puerto Princesa recorded a positive one-week growth rate at four percent.
Risk levels for HUCs in Luzon (not including NCR). Angeles, Dagupan, Lucena, Naga CIty and Olongapo at moderate risk, while Baguio, Santiago and Puerto Princesa at high risk. Only Puerto Princesa had a positive one week growth rate. @dzbb @DZAR1026 @allangatus @dzrhnews @News5PH pic.twitter.com/drB286f9oL
— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) February 3, 2022
On Wednesday, the DOH also said that the country has exhibited negative one-week and two-week growth rates of new COVID-19 cases, signaling a decline in new infections.
The DOH also said that new COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and other areas outside the NCR Plus are consistently going down.
The Philippines, now categorized as moderate risk for COVID-19, had 7,661 new cases of the disease on Wednesday, the second straight day that cases were less than 10,000. The last time that additional cases were below 10,000 was on January 4.