Despite the strict COVID-19 testing and contact tracing of Baguio City, the Department of Health (DOH) admitted that they have observed an increase in the city's coronavirus case.
"We have seen a slight increase in cases in Baguio, so for the past two weeks we have been monitoring it," said Health Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire in a virtual conference on Monday, December 7.
This statement by the agency is due to the recorded 13.5% positivity rate of the City of Pines. Higher from the benchmark of 5%.
But Usec. Vergeire clarified that the increase in their COVID-19 cases cannot be criticized on the city's opening to tourists.
"We need to think that Baguio City, they are very aggressive in their contact tracing and testing their constituents, so it can also have an effect when many individuals are tested."
"Although we cannot discount the fact that many are being tested positive [for the virus] that needs to be guarded."
The DOH said they have already communicated to local government officials of Baguio to determine the cause of the increased COVID-19 case in the city.
The Baguio local government acknowledged that since they opened the city to tourists from neighboring provinces, they have felt the spike of COVID-19 cases.
