DOH uncertain if the rise in COVID-19 cases is due to Omicron variant

By: Zacarian Sarao - 3 years ago

Following the country's highest daily COVID-19 case count in over a month, the DOH said that it is still unclear if the surge is due to the holidays or the Omicron variant.

FILE PHOTO: Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire. INQUIRER file photo / EDWIN BACASMAS

MANILA, Philippines — Following the country’s highest daily COVID-19 case count in over a month, the Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said that it is still unclear if the surge is only due to the holiday activities or the Omicron variant.

“Cases are expected to increase due to the holiday related mobility and reduced compliance to MPHS (minimum public health standards), we are continuously monitoring the situation,” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told reporters.

“Though we cannot still be certain that the increase in cases is due to the Omicron Variant,” she added.

This came after the DOH, also on Wednesday, registered 889 cases — the highest number of daily cases the country has recorded since Nov. 27.

Positivity rate also jumped to 4.5 percent, which is also the highest since Nov. 13.

JPV