PH’S COVID-19 cases increase by 30% in past week

MANILA, Philippines — COVID-19 cases in the Philippines rose by 30 percent in the past week, data from the Department of Health (DOH) on Friday showed as the country records more cases of the Delta variant.

Data presented by Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in an online media briefing showed that there were 10,459 average daily new cases from August 6 to 12, higher than the 7,987 average cases from July 30 to August 5. This was also higher than the 5,894 average cases from July 23 to 29 and 5,657 from July 16 to 22.

“Given our epidemic curve, we are seeing a new peak every week. The latest peak is at the first week of August,” said Vergeire, referring to increase in cases now being observed every week.

The country recorded its highest peak of new COVID-19 cases from April 9 to 15, with an average of 10,845 additional cases daily.

According to Vergeire, Metro Manila and the rest of NCR Plus are showing a “steep” increase in cases, while the rest of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are exhibiting a “slight” increase in cases.

Metro Manila, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Calabarzon, Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, and Western Visayas remain at high risk classification due to its high average daily attack rate (ADAR) per 100,000 population and two-week growth rate (TWGR) in cases.

COVID-19 data per region as of August 12 (Table from DOH)

In Metro Manila, COVID-19 cases jumped by 52 percent, from an average of 1,794 daily new cases from July 30 to August 5 to 2,727 from August 6 to 12. Navotas and Pateros are at critical risk with high-risk ADAR and TWGR. The rest of localities in the region are under high risk classification for COVID-19.

The Philippines now has 1.7 million total confirmed COVID-19 cases as of Thursday, including the 12,439 new cases that are highest in four months. It was also the second straight day in August that the country logged new cases that are over the 12,000 mark.

Of the tally, 87,663 remain active cases.

The DOH has so far confirmed 627 cases of the highly transmissible Delta variant of COVID-19. The agency assumes that a community transmission of the variant is already happening.

EDV