The COVID-19 daily positivity rate in Cebu City has stayed below 5% for the past 20 days, or since October 29, the coronavirus disease response head said on Wednesday, November 17.

Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera warned residents, however, that cases could rise over the holidays “if we are not careful.” 

“We can never lower our guards especially in the coming holidays,” Garganera in a mix of Cebuano and English.

“There will be many reunions, parties, and gatherings. People are more vulnerable when they are partying, drinking and not wearing their face masks. It would be best to have the gatherings outside or make sure that airflow or ventilation is adequate to keep yourselves safe.”

At least 10 new cases were reported in Cebu City on Wednesday, November 17. A total of 735 were tested, for a positivity rate of 1.36%. 

The city’s current active case count is at 225 as of Tuesday, November 17.

The World Health Organization pegs an acceptable positivity rate of 5% or below as an indicator that a locality has a pandemic under control. 

Cebu City has been able to maintain a low positivity rate despite the increased movement of people due to more relaxed restrictions under Alert Level 2. 

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COVID-19 critical care occupancy rate in Cebu City drops to 18%

According to the Emergency Operations Center, the city’s COVID-19 bed occupancy rate is at 22.43% in public hospitals and 6.75% in private hospitals.  

Occupancy rates of 60% or above are considered the “danger zone” by the Department of Health.

Back in August, the city was reporting long lines outside of hospitals, while oxygen tanks were in short supply due to the surge in cases then, which was driven by the more infectious Delta variant.

By October, OCTA Research classified Cebu City as “very low risk” because it was able to reduce the number of infections in the city through contact tracing, isolation, and strict health protocols. 

Meanwhile, the city is ramping up its vaccination drive by going out to low-income neighborhoods and mountain barangays.

Previously, vaccination centers were only in malls and universities. 

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As of November 17, over 400,000 Cebuanos are fully vaccinated or 45.16% of the target population.

At least 10,000 minors between the ages of 12 and 17 are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines in Cebu City.  – Rappler.com