MANILA, Philippines — The “worst is over” in “most” parts of the country with COVID-19 cases having already peaked or is peaking, OCTA Research fellow Guido David said.
“We believe that the worst is over in most parts of the country,” David said during Monday’s Pandesal Forum.
“We could imagine that the worst is probably over for most of the country because cases have peaked or peaking,” he added.
He cited as an example Cebu City and Davao City, which he noted is seeing a decrease in COVID-19 cases.
“Most of Cebu is now seeing a downward trajectory, although Cebu City is actually more advanced in terms of the decrease. The decrease is happening earlier in Cebu City compared to Mandaue but, nevertheless, we are seeing a decrease in Cebu [and] also in Davao City,” he explained.
David, however, was quick to remind the public to continue being mindful of minimum health protocols since there is still a “significant” number of infections.
File photo shows masked pedestrians walking past mural of a health worker wearing a face mask and eye shield in C.M. Recto Ave., in the City of Manila. (INQUIRER PHOTO/LYN RILLON)
“It doesn’t mean of course that it’s all clear, we should still follow health protocols as we go out. There’s still a significant number of cases…We still have to self-isolate if we’re feeling symptoms, we have to wear face masks,” he said.
Among the provinces still seeing a “significant increase” in new cases are Bukidnon, Camiguin, Cotabato, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Maguindanao, Negros Oriental, Sarangani, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, according to the OCTA fellow.
“Most of the provinces are in Mindanao. So what happened is the surge happened later in these provinces that’s why they are still at an accelerating stage whereas the surge has already been, has already matured and now on a downward trend in many other provinces, especially in Visayas and Luzon,” David said.
NCR ‘low risk’ in two weeks
David, meanwhile, said the National Capital Region (NCR), Cavite and Rizal may be at “low risk” for COVID-19 in the next two weeks.
“But again it’s not yet at low risk because of the fairly high positivity rate but we’re hoping these will come down,” he added.
Hundreds line up for their COVID-19 booster shot at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. (RICHARD A. REYES / INQUIRER)
Metro Manila and several other areas will be reverted to the more relaxed Alert Level 2 starting Feb. 1.
On Sunday, the Philippines logged 16,953 additional COVID-19 cases, the lowest daily increase recorded since Jan. 5.