A Davao City Task Force COVID-19 official said that there is no surge yet in Davao City but Dabawenyos are reminded to strictly comply with the minimum public health standards (MPHS) as there is a looming surge due to the Delta, Omicron, and other variants, which might be more massive than before.
The 67 new active cases logged on January 6, 2022, are higher than what was recorded in previous days but the positivity rate remains below the acceptable limit, according to Davao City Task Force COVID-19 Spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser, during the Bida Bakuna program aired over 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Friday, January 7.
“Naay pagtaas sa atong cases. Nagsugod atong nag-double digit na ta… kagahapon, 67. Yes, nagataas ta but the positivity rate remains below five percent. So wala pa ta sa ginatawag na surge but we are anticipating a surge (There’s an increase in our COVID-19 cases. It began when we started having double digits… yesterday, we had 67. Yes, we are increasing but the positivity rate remains below five percent. We do not have a surge yet but we are anticipating it),” Dr. Schlosser said.
The 67 new confirmed positive COVID-19 cases were among the 1,410 swabbed on January 6, which yielded a 4.75 percent positivity rate.
From zero reported COVID-19 cases on January 1, 2022, Davao City had two cases on January 2; 16 on January 3; 32 on January 4; and 24 on January 5.
“Remind lang nato ang mga tao, there’s a possibility na kini mag-increase pa labi na mag-gahi ulo. Ang pag-spread virus depends og unsa ka disiplinado ang tao in terms of following the minimum public health standards (We just want to remind the public that our cases can increase if people continue to be stubborn. The spread of the virus depends on how disciplined a person is in following the minimum public health standards).”
She said data shows that unvaccinated individuals are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection, which is why they should get vaccinated as soon as possible. For those fully vaccinated, they have to get their booster shots.
“Gina-expect nato muabot ang Omicron, which is far more exponential ang iyang pag spread compared to Delta and other variants (We are expecting the Omicron, which is far more exponential in spreading compared to the Delta and other variants),” the city health official said.
If there is no important reason to go out, Dr. Schlosser advised Dabawenyos to just stay home. But if going out can’t be avoided, the MPHS should be followed and one must get vaccinated.
In a follow-up interview, Dr. Schlosser said: “The city is preparing for a surge and mitigating its risk po. We are requesting the public to submit themselves to COVID-19 management and have themselves vaccinated and avail of the booster shots.”
She also said that the City Government of Davao will add more Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities (TTMFs) if the need arises amid the expected surge. The TTMFs will cater to asymptomatic and mild cases that won’t be needing hospital care.
Dr. Schlosser, however, expressed concern for unvaccinated senior citizens and persons with comorbidities who are very vulnerable to severe or critical symptoms when infected with COVID-19.
In the Davao Region, she said that 90 percent of COVID-19 patients in severe or critical conditions are unvaccinated.
“Reminding everyone nga wala pa mabakunahan, labi na mga seniors ug mga na-belong sa vulnerable sectors, have yourself vaccinated as we are anticipating a surge. We are expecting Omicron (We are reminding everyone who is unvaccinated, especially seniors and those who belong to the vulnerable sectors, have yourself vaccinated as we are anticipating a surge. We are expecting the Omicron),” Dr. Schlosser added. CIO