Seven cities outside Metro Manila have posted a record-high number of new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases on Sunday, Jan. 23, said the OCTA Research Group.
In a tweet on Monday, Jan. 24, OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said record-high new cases were reported in Bacolod City (347 cases), Baguio City (902 cases), Butuan City (310 cases), Davao City (1,831 cases), General Santos City (188 cases), Iloilo City (793 cases), and Mandaue City (285 cases).
Meanwhile, Baguio City and Iloilo City continue to have a "severe outbreak" of COVID-19 with the average daily attack rate (ADAR) in these areas recorded at 161.90 and 95.84, respectively.
The ADAR or incidence rate refers to the number of new daily cases per 100,000 population.
Moreover, "very high" one-week growth rates--greater than 100 percent--were recorded in the provinces of Mountain Province, Ilocos Norte, Davao del Sur, Apayao, Iloilo, Ifugao, and Cebu.
However, David said that negative one-week growth rates were recorded in Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal, and Bulacan.
David pointed out that the number of new cases per day outside Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and CALABARZON accounted for 58 percent of the country's total as of Jan. 23.
"On January 11, this constituted just 12 percent of the national total," he said.
"Unfortunately, this will continue to increase. Please practice caution in public places," he added.