BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Negros Occidental remains at COVID-19 Alert Level 3, while Bacolod City is now on Alert Level 4, with health care utilization rate at high risk, according to a report of the Department of Health Center for Health and Development 6.
Areas under Alert Level 3 are those with high case count, with increasing health care utilization, regardless of Delta variant presence, while on Alert Level 4 are those with high case count also and high health care utilization rates.
Dr. Bea Camille Natalaray, of DOH-CHD 6, reported yesterday on the Isyung Bakuna On Line Talakayan of DOH-CHD 6 and Philippine Information Agency 6, that the health care utilization rate (HCUR) of Negros Occidental is now 67.32 percent, compared to 74.65 percent of Bacolod City.
HCUR refers to the use of COVID-19 wards, ICUs and isolation beds.
The Bago City District Hospital has announced that it will not br accepting patients temporarily, until further notice as it already reached its full capacity, and due to the presence of COVID-19 positive patients in its triage tents.
As of Sept. 12, the Average Daily Attack Rate (ADAR) of Negros Occidental was recorded at 3.96 percent per 100,000 population, compared to 2.05 percent, two weeks ago. On the other hand, the DOH-CHD6 logged 11 percent ADAR in Bacolod City, compared to 8.28 percent, in previous two weeks.
For Alert Level 4, Natalaray stressed the need to do aggressive community testing, prioritize tracing of close contacts, among others. Also with high risk classification in Region 6 were Guimaras, Iloilo province as well as Iloilo City.
As of Sept. 12, the Provincial Incident Management Team reported that Negros Occidental now has 1,810 active cases.
Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr. also expressed alarm over the sudden surge of COVID-19 cases in Cadiz City, that rose from seven cases two weeks ago, to 70 cases, as of this time, with results of more than 30 pending swab samples, yet to be released.
Escalante also reported that five Cadiz City health workers were also infected, stressing that local transmission is on the rise.
He, however, said that he has no intention to impose a lockdown in Cadiz City, as they are now implementing an aggressive vaccination program.
“We are bringing vaccination to the barangay plazas and covered courts,” Escalante said.*
