BAGUIO CITY, Oct. 18(PIA) - - The Department of Health Center for Health and Development Cordillera reported that as of its October 13 data, Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for COVID – 19 has reached 102,481 individuals in the region, equivalent to 5.61 percent of the 1,827,998 population of Cordillera as listed in the 2020 Philippine Health Services Information System (FHSIS).
Baguio City has the highest number of persons tested with 48,256 which is 12 percent of the city’s population of 376,108; followed by Benguet with 27,013, Apayao with 6,867, Abra with 5,987, Kalinga with 5,076, Ifugao with 4,688 and Mountain Province with 4,594.
In term of positivity rate, Cordillera averaged 2.25% with 2,309 confirmed cases out of the 102,481 individuals tested.
Per demographics, Kalinga registered the highest positivity rate with 3.41 %( 173 out of the 5,076 individuals tested), followed by Baguio City at 3.01 %( 1,452/48,256), Benguet with 1.73% (466/27,013), Abra with 1.45% (87 out of 5,987), Ifugao also at 1.45 %( 68 out of 4,688), Apayao at 0.57% (39 out of 6,867) and Mountain Province with 0.52% (24 (4,594).
The region has two RT – PCR testing facilities at the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center and Parkway, a private facility in Baguio City. Two molecular laboratories at Benguet General Hospital and at the Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital in Bauko Mountain Province, are expected to be operational soon.
For COVID – 19 case management, DOH – CAR reported that for the government and private hospitals in the region, there are a total of 163 ward beds, 375 isolation beds, 26 ICU beds and 32 mechanical ventilators dedicated for COVID – 19 cases.
For community quarantine/isolation facilities, there are currently 31 DOH certified Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facilities (TTMFs) in the region with a total of 672 bed capacity and an occupancy rate of 39.85 percent, as of reporting period.
There are three more classified as community quarantine facilities in Benguet while the first TTMF for Ifugao is currently being established.
Despite the effective case management and infection control systems in place, DOH – CAR Regional Director Dr. Ruby Constantino, in a recent media forum, reiterated the health department’s calls for everyone’s cooperation in strictly following the minimum health standards especially the wearing of face mask, physical distancing, regular and proper hand washing and avoiding crowding or crowded places to protect themselves, their families and the community from COVID – 19. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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