The OCTA Research group tagged Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental as the “area of most serious concern” outside Metro Manila after the city posted a surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases and average daily attack rate (ADAR).

Dumaguete City posted a 129-percent increase in new Covid-19 infections in just one week, averaging 95 new infections from June 7 to 13, doubled from the previous 42 new cases last week.

The city’s ADAR currently stands at 70 per 100,000 population, which is already considered as “extremely high risk.”

An 84-percent intensive care unit (ICU) utilization rate and 68 percent overall hospital bed utilization rate (HBUR) were also recorded.

Iloilo City, Butuan City, Tacloban City and Polomolok were also included in the areas of concern due to increasing cases and high hospital occupancy and ADAR.

Iloilo City alone posted a 13-percent Covid-19 case growth in just one week, with an ADAR of 27 per 100,000 population, and 99 percent ICU utilization. 

Polomolok posted a 70-percent case growth in one week. The municipality also reported 20.22 ADAR and 77 percent hospital bed utilization rate (HBUR).

Butuan City, meanwhile, logged a 48 percent case growth in a week with 18.84 ADAR, 77 percent HBUR, and 60 percent ICU utilization

Tacloban City also reported a 65-percent one week case growth rate, 15.68 ADAR, 83 percent HBUR, and 73 ICU utilization. 

Tagum City in Davao del Norte, Legazpi City in Albay, and Tagbilaran City in Bohol  were also declared by the research group as emerging hotspots due to their rapid one-week growth rates or very high ADAR. 

Meanwhile, ICU bed occupancy is also considered at a critical level or above 85 percent in the cities of Davao, Iloilo, General Santos, Tuguegarao, and Koronadal. Ronald Espartinez