Bacolod City, Negros Occ. Urged By DOH To Monitor COVID Positivity Rate
BACOLOD CITY – DOH Central Visayas recently warned LGUs of Bacolod City and Negros Occidental to closely monitor their COVID-19 positivity rate.
COVID-19 positivity rate is one of the several metrics which is used to track SARS-CoV-2, according to Panay News.
It refers to the fraction of tests that come back positive. The metric is calculated by dividing the number of positive tests by the total number of tests. Lowered test positivity rate is considered good.
Dr. Mary Jean Loreche, chief pathologist of the Department of Health Central Visayas, cited initial reports from last week’s mass testing in the capital city of Negros Occidental and the province itself.
Loreche reported that 212 out of 1,598 individuals were found infected with COVID-19. This placed the positivity rate at 13.3%.
Local government units (LGUs) from both areas collaborated to hold a “Timeout Weekend” from Aug. 28 to 31 to contain the spread of COVID-19 by mass testing 10,000 individuals, among them include 5,000 in the city and 5,000 more in the province.
Loreche also advised local authorities to not soleley fixated at the number of COVID-19 positive cases as basis if it is already alarming or in a dangerous level.
“They also have to look at the capacity of the health care facilities in giving proper care to COVID-19 patients,”
She also disclosed that she gained information that there are only 161 beds that have been allocated for COVID-19 patients in hospitals in the Negros Occidental capital.
The chief pathologist also said that a meeting already took place between them, the hospital directors and several doctors, adding that DOH is now waiting for additional data such as hospital bed allocation and critical care capabilities, based on the report.
“We are also looking at the capacity of health care workers in taking care of their patients in order to determine the current situation,”
Furthermore, the molecular laboratories in Negros Occidental are also being checked to see if there are ways to accelerate their testing capacity and turnaround times.
There are about 237 new case on Bacolod City based on Sept. data, as well as 84 new recoveries and one new fatality.
There are also 48 new cases in Negros Occidental with 39 new recoveries.
What do you think of this report? How will you react to this? Let us know more about it in the comments below.
READ ALSO: Anne Curtis Shares Sweet Message For Husband Erwan Heussaff
Check out our latest news at philnews.ph or in our following social media pages
Facebook: /PhilNews
Twitter: @PhilNews247
Instagram: @philnewsph
