The Taguig City government said it is now focusing on the new normal after recording the lowest number of active coronavirus cases (COVID-19) in the National Capital Region.
“The city believes that the enforcement of health protocols in commercial areas and offices is now the key area we need to focus on,” said Mayor Lino Cayetano.
According to the city government, Taguig has only 19 active COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population, the lowest in Metro Manila, which proved that it was able to control the transmission of the virus.
It is now focusing on helping business establishments open safely and responsibly. The Taguig Safe City Task Force recently issued an advisory to remind the public of minimum health standards and safety protocols to be followed including wearing of face masks and face shields, all business establishments must have at least one designated safety officer who will enforce health protocols in the workplace.
The city government said besides Taguig, other cities with the lowest active cases per 100,000 population include Muntinlupa (33), Parañaque (33), Caloocan (36), and Las Piñas (37). The average number of active cases per 100,000 population in NCR is 68 based on official data released by each local government unit in Metro Manila.
The success in curbing COVID-19 transmission is attributed to its PDITR strategy (Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat, and Reintegrate) that enables the city to garner lower cases and increase the number of recoveries.
Part of this is the construction of COVID-19 infrastructures including the Lakeshore Mega Complex which houses the Taguig Molecular Laboratory, Taguig National Testing Facility, and Lakeshore Hotel Mega-Quarantine Facility. It said this allows for a faster and easier processing of specimens, conducting accessible polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, and assisting COVID-19 patients in their recovery.
As of October 13, Taguig has conducted 59,302 PCR tests, representing six percent of its total population. The city has 8,136 confirmed COVID-19 cases including 7,893 recoveries and 60 deaths, leaving 183 active cases. Its case fatality rate or CFR is 0.74 percent, which is also among the lowest case fatality rates in the country.