Davao City is not an epicenter of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.
“We discourage the use of the term ‘epicenter’ in describing the rise of cases in an area. These areas are not the origin of the Covid-19 virus. Moreover, using the term ‘epicenter’ detracts from other surrounding areas which may be equally or more affected by Covid-19,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a statement.
“Considering this, no, Davao City is not an epicenter. We continue to closely monitor the situation in Davao City due to increasing cases,” she added.
The DOH issued this statement after the OCTA Research Group said that Davao City has surpassed Quezon City on the average number of new Covid-19 cases reported in a seven-day monitoring period.
Based on OCTA’s report, Davao City recorded 213 average new cases from June 1 to 7, or 44 percent more from the 147 average new cases from the preceding week while Quezon City recorded an average of 207 new COVID-19 cases from June 1 to 7, or a -27 percent growth rate from the 283 cases from the previous week.
Davao City was placed under modified enhanced community quarantine from June 5 until June 20 to address the surge of Covid-19 cases. Ronald Espartinez