Lucena, one of the highly urbanized cities (HUCs) in the Philippines, is now classified under the “very low risk” classification of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), an OCTA Research fellow said on Sunday, Feb. 20.
“As of Feb. 19, Lucena at very low risk. National Capital Region (NCR), Angeles, Bacolod, Dagupan, Lapu Lapu, Olongapo, Tacloban at low risk. Iloilo City, other HUCs are moderate risk,” said OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David in a tweet.
Lucena, the lone HUC in the Philippines under the very low risk classification, has an average daily attack rate (ADAR) of 0.79. According to the group of independent experts, ADAR pertains to the seven-day average number of new cases per 100,000 people.
Meanwhile, the HUCs under the low risk classification include Metro Manila (3.19), Angeles (1.21), Bacolod (2.78), Dagupan (2.49), Lapu Lapu (6.19), Olongapo (0.82), and Tacloban (1.96).
The remaining HUCs under the moderate risk classification were Baguio City (12.26), Butuan (2.60), Cagayan de Oro (2.86), Cebu City (5.39), Cotabato City (2.01), Davao City (4.09), General Santos (3.15), Iligan (1.59), Iloilo City (9.61), Mandaue (4.01), Naga City (2.17), Ormoc (1.31), Puerto Princesa (2.81), Santiago (3.15), and Zamboanga City (5.02).
Amid the decreasing number of infections in the country, David reiterated that the public should continue to properly observe minimum public health standards.
“Cases continue to decrease but let’s still practice safety measures,” he added.