Duque: Mimaropa, Bicol, Eastern Visayas low risk for COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — Three regions in the Philippines are at low risk for COVID-19, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III reported.

During President Rodrigo Duterte’s taped address to the nation aired Tuesday, Duque said that the three regions are Regions 4B or Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), 5 or Bicol, and 8 or Eastern Visayas.

READ: Bicol Region at low risk for COVID-19; rest of the country at minimal risk

“Ang Regions 4B, 5, and 8 — although nasa positive two-week growth rate and moderate risk, ang kasalukuyan naman kapag ibinangga ang two-week growth rate sa kanyang average daily attack rate — ang katumbas po ay low risk pa rin ang kanyang classification,” he explained.

(Regions 4B, 5, and 8 — although their two-week growth rate is positive and is at moderate risk, when you assess the two-week growth rate with their average daily attack rate — it shows that they are still at low-risk classification.)

According to Duque, the slight increase in COVID-19 cases does not affect the country’s healthcare utilization.

“Ang naitalang bahagyang pagtaas ng mga kaso ay hindi pa nakakaapekto—malayo pa po ito sa ating healthcare utilization rate ng bansa, maging sa mga rehiyon, nananatiling low risk or low healthcare utilization rate,” he pointed out.

(The slight uptick in cases does not affect or it is still far from our country’s healthcare utilization rate, and even in regions, it remains at low risk.)

The World Health Organization earlier urged the Philippines to prepare for a possible surge, especially after the May 9 elections when voters will flock to polling precincts.

READ: WHO warns of new COVID surge in 2 months, urges PH to prepare

Duque also advised the public to wear a well-fitted mask, sanitize hands, ensure ventilation, and get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.

READ: Voters need not wear face shields at poll precincts