DOH-6 keeping watch over 5 critical COVID-19 areas

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

 

The Department of Health-Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH-WV CHD) on Monday said it is keeping an eye on five areas in the region that posted “alarming numbers” related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

DOH-WV CHD Medical Officer IV Dr. Marie Jocelyn Te discussed the region’s COVID-19 situation and updates on vaccination.

Their data as of May 23, 2021 indicated that the region has a total of 43,357 COVID-19 cases, including 6,105 active cases (14.08 percent), 36,192 recoveries (83.47 percent), and 1,047 deaths (2.41 percent).

Western Visayas’ positivity rate as of May 23 rose to 6.7 percent from 6.3 percent, which Te said was an indication of increased local transmission in the region.

The region’s 2-Week Growth Rate (2WGR, -14 percent) and Average Daily Attack Rate (ADAR, 3.54) in the last 1 to 2 weeks decreased, keeping the region in the “Low” risk classification.

The 2WGR refers to the difference in the volume of cases in one area within a two-week period, while the ADAR refers to the number of cases in the province over a two-week period per 100,000 population, divided by its total population.

But the DOH-WV CHD cited five areas of concern: Iloilo City and Guimaras, which are classified as ‘High’, and Bacolod City, Iloilo province, and Aklan, which are currently on “Moderate” status.

Iloilo City posted a slowdown in its 2WGR, which went down to 87 percent in the last 1 to 2 weeks from 128.48 percent in the last 3 to 4 weeks.

But the city’s ADAR went up to 10.05 in the past 2 weeks from 5.39 three to four weeks ago.

Guimaras’ high mark was due to its 2WGR rising to 311 percent in the past 1 to 2 weeks from 38.46 percent in the last 3 to 4 weeks, and its ADAR recently at 2.83 from the previous 0.69.

Despite being in the “Moderate” column, Bacolod City’s 2WGR fell to minimal at -7 percent from 4.47 percent, but its ADAR remained high, falling slightly to 9.30 from 9.96.

Iloilo province rose to moderate status because its 2WGR shot up to 128 percent from -19.55 percent, and its ADAR rising to 2.26 from 0.99.

Aklan’s 2WGR fell to 14 percent from 57.71, and its ADAR rose to 3.67 from 3.23.

The rest of the region is in the “Low” column, including Antique (-22 percent 2WGR, 1.84 ADAR), Capiz (-5 percent 2WGR, 3.00 ADAR), and Negros Occidental (-57 percent 2WGR, 2.65 ADAR).

The region’s Healthcare Utilization Rate (HCUR), which refers to the rate of use of COVID-19 dedicated beds and mechanical ventilators, continued to rise to 51.42 percent, with 51.95 percent of beds and 42.42 percent of mechanical ventilators utilized.

Iloilo City is the only area with its HCUR in the red at 78.63 percent, with 79.44 percent of beds and 70.00 percent of mechanical already used.

Antique follows with 56.35 percent HCUR, Bacolod City (55.71 percent), Negros Occidental (49.15 percent), Capiz (46.62 percent), Iloilo province (34.40 percent), Guimaras (27.27 percent), and Aklan (22.66 percent).

Te also discussed the prevention, detection, isolation, and treatment strategies which had been applied by the DOH-WV CHD, which include:

– Continuous reiteration on the compliance of the MPHS through tri-media campaigns, social media posts and Information, Education, and Communication materials distribution;

-Deployment of Disease Surveillance Officers as augmentation to Local Government Units/Disease Reporting Units;

-Provision of financial and logistics assistance to molecular laboratories;

-HRH augmentation in selected health facilities

-Provision of Personal Protective Equipments;

-Daily monitoring of utilization rates; and

-Issuances on the COVID-19 Response of DOH Hospitals in the region and the compliance to dedicated beds by public (30 percent) and private (20 percent) hospitals.

 

VACCINATION

Te also reported on the status of vaccination.

As of May 23, a total of 164,806 persons have received at least their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with 92,642 getting inoculated with CoronaVac and 72,164 with AZD1222.

Data as of May 23 also showed that 43,171 persons have completed COVID-19 vaccination in the region, with 42,414 receiving CoronaVac and 757 on AZD1222.

Iloilo province administered the most number of first doses with 40,443, followed by Iloilo City (31,036), Negros Occidental (27,976), Capiz (18,874), Aklan (15,480), Bacolod City (13,508), Antique (11,308), and Guimaras (6,181).

The province also leads in the administration of the second dose (9,686), followed by Iloilo City (9,041), Negros Occidental (6,311), Capiz (5,588), Bacolod City (4,044), Aklan (3,919), Antique (3,167), and Guimaras (1,415).

Te said that many from vaccination groups A1, A2, and A3 have already either started or completed their vaccinations, while A4 group members commenced this month.

Increased vaccination efforts are expected in June with the regular arrival of additional doses.