DOH: Decline in new COVID-19 cases slowing down

FILE PHOTO A healthcare worker conducts a swab test on a woman in Imus, Cavite. Image from OVP

MANILA, Philippines — The decline in the number of new COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila and in the country is slowing down, the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday.

According to Dr. Alethea De Guzman, OIC-Director of the DOH Epidemiology Bureau, the country had an average of 4,183 daily new cases from October 26 to November 1, 14 percent lower than the 4,886 average cases from October 19 to 25.

However, the 4,886 average cases from October 19 to 25 was 35 percent lower than the 7,529 daily cases from October 12 to 18.

“May nakikita tayong pagbagal sa ating pagbaba [ng kaso]. It is still going down but the decline is slower than the previous weeks,” De Guzman told an online media forum.

(We are seeing a slower decline in new cases. It is still going down but the decline is slower than the previous weeks.)

The slower decline in new cases was also observed in Metro Manila.

According to De Guzman, the capital region had 770 new daily cases from October 26 to November, which are likewise 14 percent lower than 898 average cases from October 19 to 25. The 898 cases, on the other hand, was 36% lower than the 1,405 daily cases from October 12 to 18.

De Guzman said that the negative growth rate of cases may turn into positive if this trend continues.

“There is a decline, pero kapag bumabagal, ‘yun ay higit nating binabantayan kasi ‘yung pagbagal na ‘yun posibleng makita natin from negative, nagpapositive na tayo,” she said.

(There is a decline but when it becomes slower, we monitor it more because the growth rate may turn from negative into positive.)

According to De Guzman, it is possible that some areas ease up their active case finding when they see that cases are declining, thus contributing to a slower decline in new infections.

She reminded local government units to continue their active case finding to prevent an increase of COVID-19 cases.

EDV