DOH: Philippine COVID-19 cases now higher than in start of May

June 4 ------ The average number of daily new COVID-19 cases in the Philippines over the past week was higher than the figures reported in the start of May, the Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday. DOH Epidemiology Bureau director Dr. Alethea De Guzman said the Philippines averaged 6,691 daily new infections from May 27 to June 2. “Over May, this is the highest average number of cases,” she said in a forum.

The country averaged 5,214 new cases from May 20 to 26; 5,827 from May 13 to 19; and 6,410 during May 6 to 12. De Guzman also said Philippines’ case growth rate from May 16 to 29 was only -13% compared to -24% during May 2 to 15. She said NCR Plus (Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal) is showing a “slight upward trend” in COVID-19 cases, while infections are increasing “gradually” in the Visayas and “at a fast rate” in Mindanao.

De Guzman attributed the rising number of cases to the transmission of new variants, low masking compliance, reduced surveillance, delayed testing and contact tracing, superspreader events, and poor ventilation. She underscored that health and safety protocols and vaccination “are essential to minimize risk of being infected and infecting others.”

‘Areas of serious concern’

Meanwhile, the OCTA Research group also flagged the cities of Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Iloilo, Tarlac, and Tuguegarao as “areas of serious concern.” In their latest monitoring report, the independent team of experts said Tuguegarao logged a one-week case growth rate of 197% and intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy of 98%. High ICU utilization rates were also recorded in Iloilo, Zamboanga City, Bacoor, Cotabato, and Tarlac.

Modified enhanced community quarantine, the second strictest lockdown category, has already been imposed over several cities in Mindanao until June 15. De Guzman also said more COVID-19 vaccines are being deployed to areas with a spike or clustering of infections. The Philippines has tallied over 1.2 million COVID-19 cases with 1.1 million recoveries and more than 21,000 deaths as of Wednesday afternoon. Last week, the DOH noted that cases plateaued in May after a significant decline throughout April.

Source: gmanetwork.com