Region 6 as ‘low-risk’ area explained

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

Western Visayas has been classified as a low-risk area for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) based on its case doubling time and low critical care utilization rate, according to the Department of Health-Center for Health Development Western Visayas (DOH-CHD 6).

The doubling time or duration/days for cases or deaths to double measures the speed of transmission of Covid-19.

The critical care utilization rate represents the capability and capacity of the health system in handling cases of Covid-19

The entire Western Visayas has been classified as a low-risk area and will no longer be placed under community quarantine, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced on Tuesday.

Based on the doubling time and critical care utilization rate, Dr. Ma. Sophia Pulmones, Local Health Support Division chief of DOH-CHD 6, said all areas in the region are in the recognition phase of the pandemic.

In measuring the case doubling time or the speed of transmission, Pulmones said lower numbers indicate faster outbreaks, while higher numbers mean slower outbreaks.

For Western Visayas, case doubling time cannot be applied in some areas with low cases and the case threshold will be determined instead.

The critical care utilization rate represents the health system capacity through the number of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds, isolation rooms, isolation room beds, ward beds dedicated to COvid-19 patients.

If an area has a critical care utilization rate below 30 percent, it is in the safe zone; if the rate is between 30-70 percent it is in the warning zone); and more than 70 percent indicates danger zone, according to Pulmones.

The entire region has an average critical utilization rate of below 30 percent indicating that it is still in the safe zone in utilizing care equipment and facilities.

“All areas in the region particularly Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Bacolod City Negros Occidental, and Iloilo province are all under the recognition stage. Ibig sabahin, wala nag-exceed ang isa ka probinsya sa iya case threshold and number of COVID cases and ang critical utilization rate is less than 30 percent,” she said in an online press briefing on Tuesday.

This can also mean that all the above-mentioned areas either have zero cases or imported or importation of cases, Pulmones added.

Iloilo City, which accounted for 16 COVID-19 cases as of Monday, is in the initiation stage of pandemic.

“In Iloilo City, gingamit ang case doubling time sa stage kay madamo siya kaso. It is on the initiation stage,” Pulmones said.

Pulmones explained that the city has a case doubling time of 9.57 days and a critical care utilization rate of less than 30 peecent.

“This means that there is localized transmission of area. All areas except Iloilo City are in the initation stage that is why na-classify kita as a low risk area,” she said.

Areas under the recognition stage are advised to intensify surveillance and contact tracing, according to Pulmones.

“Pangitaon ang surveillance of cases kon may areas nga damo kaso sa closed spaces including jails, nursing homes. They are also advised to prepare health system to detect and isolate positive cases,” she said.

Areas under initiation stage should identify clustering of cases.

Moreover, positive cases should be quarantined and placed in isolation and critical care system must be prepared.

As of Tuesday, no additional Covid-19 cases have been recorded in the region.

DOH-CHD 6 also reported an additional recovery involving a 28-year-old female in Jaro, Iloilo City.

The total Covid-19 cases in Western Visayas remain at 97 with 39 recoveries and 10 deaths.