Independent research group OCTA on Sunday, Oct. 3, said Bacolod City, including several other areas in Negros Occidental, are facing a new surge in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, likely driven by the more contagious Delta variant.
“The seven-day average in new cases in Bacolod increased by 21 percent to 158 (as of Sept. 26 to Oct. 2). Although the reduction number in Bacolod has already decreased from a peak of 1.86 on Sept. 15 to its current value of 1.37, cases are still rising,” OCTA said in its report released on Sunday.
The incidence rate or average daily attack rate (ADAR) in Bacolod City was 26.93 per day per 100,000, which is within the critical level.
Meanwhile, the seven-day positivity rate was 23 percent and hospital utilization was 80 percent, considered as “high.”
“Overall, Bacolod and Negros Occidental are considered to be at critical risk. Other municipalities in Negros Occidental at critical risk are Kabankalan, Talisay, Cadiz, La Carlota, and Sagay,” OCTA said.
It also noted that hospital utilization in Kabankalan was already at 100 percent while hospital utilization in Cadiz was at 92 percent.
Two other cities, Bago and Silay, are at high risk.