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An independent research group from the University of the Philippines (UP) has observed a significant decrease in the average daily new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in Quezon City.
For three weeks in a row, the average number of daily cases decreased: from 540 from August 10 to 16, to 456 from August 17 to 23, to 372 from August 24 to 30, and to 205 from September 1 to 6, information collected by OCTA. the Department of Health showed.
The data includes verified and unverified data from the City’s Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology Unit (CESU).
To identify the flattening of the curve, the group said it was crucial to count a steady two-week decline in the average number of daily cases.
The city’s breeding number also fell for five consecutive weeks, from 1.47 (July 27 to August 2) to 0.92 from August 31 to September 6, indicating a decrease in the movement of the virus, the UP’s independent research group said.
The news excited Mayor Josefina Belmonte.
“This is a very welcome development. This means that the collective actions of the city government, the private sector and neighbors to control the virus are working, ”he said.
“Despite the downward trend, efforts still need to be duplicated. We must not lower our guard and continue our efforts to combat the spread of the virus, ”added Belmonte.
OCTA’s research group also helped identify hotspot villages, allowing CESU to monitor areas where cases increased and those with decreasing case duplication time.
CESU Director Dr. Rolly Cruz said the information they got from OCTA would help local government devise strategies and determine where to focus, particularly when it comes to testing and contact tracing.
Joseph Juico, head of the QC Covid-19 Task Force, said residents should not relax amid the decline in the number of cases.
“The city cannot afford another closure, so we need everyone’s cooperation to follow protocols such as the use of masks and face shields, proper hand washing and social distancing,” Juico said in a statement.
OCTA Research recommended that the city government further enhance its collaboration with the health department, particularly with its “One Hospital” referral system.
Increasing testing efforts, improving 24-hour contact tracing, and increasing the number of quarantine facilities and bed capacity in hospitals are also crucial to successfully stopping the spread of Covid-19, he said.
Belmonte has expressed his appreciation to OCTA Research for providing their data analysis and recommendations that they would incorporate into the city’s strategies and action plans.
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