DAVAO City logged 30 fresh new cases of COVID-19 on July 6, 2022, with a positivity rate of 6.3 percent, which already exceeds the acceptable level of five percent.
City COVID-19 Task Force spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser, during the COVID-19 Alert program of the 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Wednesday, said the 30 cases are way higher than what the city usually had.
“Previously, naga-average ta one to 1.5 percent then nag three percent. From June 26 to July 3, nag five percent ta. This week, we have been averaging a six percent positivity rate. Admittedly, nagataas gyud ta on a daily basis (We previously averaged one to 1.5 percent positivity rate then it went up to three percent. From June 26 to July 2, we reached five percent. This week we have been averaging a six percent positivity rate. Admittedly, it is increasing daily),” she said.
On Tuesday, July 5, the city logged 17 new active COVID-19 cases with a six percent positivity rate.
Previously, the city only recorded single-digit cases since being placed under alert level 1 status in March 2022. There were times that active cases would reach double digits but would usually range between 10 to 20.
Since March 2022, it was the first time that new COVID-19 cases hit 30 in one day that’s why Dr. Schlosser warned Dabawenyos against being complacent and urged them anew to remain vigilant.
She said, “This is a reminder to us, di ba naa ta karon sa alert level 1? It might affect us. Kung gusto nato mag-remain sa alert level 1, we have to contribute. In contributing, we have to always follow the minimum public health standards, which are wearing face masks and observing hand hygiene. And then also, kinahanglan gyud ta magpabakuna (This is a reminder to us, aren’t we currently under alert level 1? It might affect us. If we want to remain under alert level 1, we have to contribute. In contributing, we have to follow the minimum public health standards, which are wearing face masks and observing hand hygiene. And then we also need to get vaccinated).”
She reiterated that the data is showing that vaccination works against the severity of the disease and in protecting people from dying.
The increase in positivity rate, according to her, depends on the discipline, cooperation, and contribution of the Davaoeños since keeping a low alert level status is a collaborative effort.
She added, “If we want to remain under alert level 1, we must be on guard at all times. Dili gyud ta magpabaya or we will suffer the consequence (We should not be neglectful or we will suffer the consequence).”
She also underscored that of the four deaths from June 26 to July 2, three were unvaccinated while the other one was vaccinated but did not receive any booster shots.
Dr. Schlosser said that anti-COVID-19 vaccines do not guarantee against infection by the virus but they ensure protection from the severity of the disease.
Since vaccine efficacy wanes after six months or more, she said that those who have received the two-dose series still need to get their boosters to ensure protection against severe or critical symptoms of the disease that might endanger their lives.
The city’s booster rollout has remained low as only 278,866 or 21.09 percent got their first booster shots from the 1,333,537 fully vaccinated individuals as of June 30, 2022.
Dr. Schlosser also urged Davaoeños to visit the nearest district health center to avail of their missed, primary, or booster doses.
COVID-19 vaccination teams are administering shots in the 18 district health centers of the city, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m, Mondays to Fridays.
