The seven-day average of new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Cagayan de Oro City is now close to its pre-surge level, independent research group OCTA said in a special report released on Saturday, Sept. 25.

"Since April 2021, Cagayan de Oro had to deal with two COVID-19 surges. The more recent surge (presumably caused by the Delta variant) was more severe. This week, the recovery of Cagayan de Oro continued as new cases decreased by 39 percent to a seven-day average of 57 new cases per day, close to the pre-surge level," OCTA said.

Cagayan de Oro is now classified as moderate risk for COVID-19 based on its incidence rate or average daily attack rate (ADAR). Its ADAR was down to 7.8 cases per 100,000 population from 12.7 cases per 100,000 population last week.

The city's reproduction number has also decreased to 0.57, while its seven-day positivity rate was 29 percent.

"As new cases continued to decrease in Cagayan de Oro, its hospital bed occupancy decreased to low level or below 60 percent," OCTA pointed out.

However, the research group noted that the intensive care unit or ICU occupancy in Cagayan de Oro remained above the critical level at 90 percent.

"The most likely reason is that surrounding regions are still dealing with the Delta surge. In particular, there was an increase in new COVID cases in Gingoog, which is now considered a high risk area," it said.

Moreover, Gingoog had no ICU beds for COVID.

OCTA said that Bukidnon also had to deal with a Delta surge recently, and although cases are on a decline in Valencia, Malaybalay, and Quezon, Valencia is still at critical risk in ADAR, while Malaybalay and Quezon are still at high-risk.

"With Malaybalay at full ICU occupancy and many LGUs in the region without ICUs, this could continue to affect the ICU utilization in Cagayan de Oro," the group added.