ILOILO City – Western Visayas region has been classified by the Department of Health (DOH) in Region 6 as a “high risk” area for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Dr. Bea Camille Natalaray, DOH-6’s medical officer IV, said the region was deemed as such because its average daily attack rate (ADAR) (per 100,000 population) and two-week growth rate (TWGR) is now at high risk and moderate risk levels, respectively.
It specifically posted a TWGR of 25 percent and ADAR of 7.12 percent.
Four areas in the region are classified as high risk – Aklan, Guimaras, Bacolod City, and Iloilo City.
Meantime, Iloilo province is classified as moderate while Antique, Capiz and Negros Occidental are low risk.
The region’s cumulative COVID-19 cases (as of June 13) were 55,847 – 20.97 percent of which were active cases.
Western Visayas also logged 1,285 COVID-19 deaths. Its case fatality rate is 2.30 percent, higher than the national fatality rate of 1.37 percent.
The region is also logging an average of 671 cases daily for the month of June, way higher than the average 371 per day in May and 261 a day in April.
Generally, the healthcare utilization rate (HCUR) in the region was classified as moderate risk.
Natalaray said some areas showed high to critical risk utilization of COVID-wards and intensive care units and isolation beds.
She said Iloilo City is now deemed a critical risk area for its HCUR; high risk for Capiz and Guimaras; and moderate risk for the province of Iloilo and Bacolod City.
The positivity rate has also increased – from 6.3 percent to 7.7 percent – that may indicate high transmission of COVID-19 virus./PN
