HIV cases down by 68% during coronavirus pandemic

MANILA, Philippines — New cases of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) dropped by 68 percent in the second quarter of the year compared to last year, but the Department of Health (DOH) pointed out that this may not necessarily mean that fewer people contracted the virus.

From April to June, the DOH recorded a total of 934 new HIV cases, fewer than the 2,938 cases recorded in the same period last year. The DOH saw new infections dropped to 187 in May, the lowest since August 2011 when there were 196 cases.

Dr. Ferchito Avelino, head of the DOH’s epidemiology bureau, however, stressed that this significant decline “cannot be absolutely attributed to reduction of transmission.”

He noted that there had been limited access to HIV services since March when virtually the entire country was placed on lockdown.

Of the new cases, Metro Manila accounted for more than a third, or 349, followed by Calabarzon (194) and Central Luzon (176). INQ