Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 18) — Muntinlupa City has recorded the highest recovery rate in Metro Manila, the city’s Health department said on Monday.
City Health Officer doctor Tet Tuliao said in a statement that as of May 16, the city’s recovery rate is at 56.85%, which is considered to be the highest among local government units in the National Capital Region.
Data from the Department of Health showed that there are 235 cases in the city with 146 active cases as of May 17. Of these, 24 deaths and 65 recoveries were recorded.
Tuliao attributed this to the city’s “intensified target mass testing” as well as contact tracing, isolation, and treatment of confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases.
The city also has an ongoing “express mas testing” through polymerase chain reaction tests which is free for residents who are experiencing symptoms. As of May 16, there were 2,005 residents and frontliners already tested by the local health department. Confirmed cases were immediately brought to quarantine facilities, while their families and those who had close contact with them were isolated.
Meanwhile, doubling time of cases in the city also showed slowing down over the past days. Doubling time has improved to eight days. Doubling time is the number of days it takes for local cases to double.
Muntinlupa City Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said that this improvement could help boost the confidence of their frontliners. However, residents should still not let their guards down. They should still follow measures against the spread of the virus, which include physical distancing, and proper personal hygiene. Other health safety measures like curfew, quarantine pass system, and liquor ban are still in place despite the city’s transition to modified enhanced community quarantine.
Total cases in the country have now reached 12,718 with 831 deaths and 2,729 recoveries.
