MANILA, Philippines — Four highly-urbanized cities (HUCs) have recorded very high positivity rates for COVID-19, independent analytics group OCTA Research said Wednesday.
According to COVID-19 data on HUCs shared by OCTA Research fellow Guido David on Twitter, Puerto Princesa City recorded the highest positivity rate at 39 percent, followed by General Santos City at 33 percent, and Iligan and Naga at 21 percent.
Positivity rate is the percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 among those tested. The recommended positivity rate by the World Health Organization is at five percent.
HUCs as of 2.22.22, Angeles and Lucena at very low risk. NCR, Bacolod, Butuan, Cebu City, Cotabato City, Dagupan, Lapu Lapu, Mandaue, Olongapo, Ormoc, Santiago, Tacloban at low risk. Rest at moderate risk @dzbb @DZAR1026 @allangatus @dzrhnews @News5PH @dwiz882 @NewsRmn @ali_sotto pic.twitter.com/Ga6GENJIeN
— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) February 22, 2022
The figure is considered high risk in Ormoc at 19 percent, Iloilo City at 15 percent, Cagayan de Oro at 12 percent, and Cotabato and Zamboanga City at both 11 percent, based on OCTA’s data.
Among the HUCs, the cities of Baguio, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Naga, Puerto Princesa, and Zamboanga City are considered moderate risk for COVID-19 transmission.
The rest of the HUCs are either at low or very low risk.
OCTA Research uses metrics from US nonprofit COVID Act Now in identifying COVID-19 risk levels, which are different from metrics being used by the Department of Health (DOH).
The country currently has 56,668 active cases of COVID-19.
The DOH recorded only 1,019 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, but the agency said the lower figure is due to lower laboratory output on Sunday.
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