PH’s new COVID-19 cases decrease by 45%; Davao, Socsksargen still critical

FILE PHOTO A man getting swabbed for COVID-19. Image from OVP / Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — New COVID-19 cases in the country in the last seven days further declined by 45 percent compared to last week, but Davao and Socsksargen regions remain at critical risk, the Department of Health (DOH) said Friday.

According to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, new COVID-19 cases in the country continue on a downward trend.

“Patuloy ang pagbaba ng mga bagong kaso ng COVID-19 sa ating bansa. Ang national average daily cases natin ngayong linggo ay mas mababa na ng 45 percent kumpara noong nakaraang linggo,” she said in a Palace briefing.

Based on data presented by Vergeire, the country recorded an average of 13,269 new COVID-19 cases from January 28 to February 3, lower than the 24,151 average new cases from January 21 to 27.

According to Vergeire, Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are currently under moderate risk for COVID-19. Bicol Region, meanwhile, is classified as low risk.

“Samantala, ang Regions 11 and 12 ay nananatiling nasa critical risk habang ang kabuuan ng Visayas at Mindanao ay nananatili na nasa high risk. Gayunpaman, hindi dapat mangamba ang mga taong nasa critical at high risk areas. Ang paalala ng DOH, patuloy nating sundin ang MPHS (minimum public health standards),” she said.

(Meanwhile, Regions 11 and 12 remain at critical risk while the entire Visayas and Mindanao remain under high risk. However, those in critical and high risk areas should not be worried. The DOH reminds everyone to follow MPHS.)

Vergeire also urged the public to get vaccinated and get booster shots.

While new COVID-19 cases have been decreasing, the DOH has also observed a decline in hospital admissions.

“Mula noong January 22 kung saan naitala ang 52 percent total occupied beds sa mga hospital, bumaba na po ito sa 43 percent at itinuturing na rin ngayon na low risk. Bumaba na rin ang national ICU utilization rate na mula sa 51 percent noong January 22 ay nasa 44 percent na lamang ngayon,” she further said.

(Since January 22 when we recorded a 52 percent total occupied hospital beds, this decreased to 43 percent categorized as low risk. The national ICU utilization rate also decreased from 51 percent from January 22 to now 44 percent.)

The Philippines was earlier reclassified as moderate risk from the previous high risk status following the decrease in new COVID-19 cases.

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