DOH: COVID-19 cases on the rise in Bicol, Zambo Peninsula, Mimaropa

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases in the Bicol Region, the Zamboanga Peninsula, and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan).

“Ang mga rehiyon ng Bicol, Zamboanga Peninsula at Mimaropa ay nagkakaroon ng pagtaas ng bilang ng mga kaso (Bicol Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Mimaropa are having an increase in cases),” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told an online media briefing.

Based on the COVID-19 tracker of the DOH, the Bicol Region has 3,311 active cases, the Zamboanga Peninsula has 2,786 cases, and Mimaropa has 2,003 active cases as of Thursday.

Meanwhile, Vergeire noted that the Cordillera Administrative Region, the Ilocos Region, and Cagayan Valley remain at high risk for COVID-19.

Vergeire earlier confirmed that coronavirus cases are declining, but urged the public to remain vigilant. She said hospital admissions are going down but some hospitals still have high occupancy rates.

“While we are seeing a negative growth in the National Capital Region, we would like to reiterate that this is the time that we should continue hammering on our COVID-19 response para tuluyang bumaba na ang bilang ng mga nagkakasakit (so that the number of people getting sick will decrease),” said Vergeire.

Metro Manila now has 24,097 active COVID-19 cases, out of the 115,328 total active cases in the country as of Thursday.

/MUF