DOH says rise of COVID-19 positivity rate in PH already expected

Facade of the DOH main office in Manila. INQUIRER.net file photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday reiterated that the positivity rate is not the sole criterion on the country’s COVID-19 situation, adding that the rate is already expected to increase due to the lower number of tests conducted.

“With the shift in testing protocols to focus more on symptomatic individuals, the positivity rate is expected to increase because those tested are those most likely to be positive,” the DOH told reporters.

It also further explained that the positivity rate is not the only factor considered in assessing the COVID-19 situation or the cause of surges.

“This means metrics such as transmission rate, contact rate, and longer durations of infectiousness are not sole drivers of transmission and increases in cases,” said DOH.

“We reiterate that we must keep an eye on our healthcare utilization rates and monitor the situation in our admissions in the hospitals,” it added.

The health department then emphasized the different layers of protection against COVID-19, such as wearing face masks based on individual risk assessment, isolating when sick, and vaccination.

On Wednesday, Octa Research reported that the nationwide positivity rate in the country as of May 3 is now 17.2 percent, while the rate in Metro Manila as of May 2 is 19.7 percent.

Meanwhile, the DOH’s online COVID-19 tracker shows that the country’s total caseload currently sits at 4,096,335 infections as of May 3, with 7,565 active cases and 4,022,326 recoveries and 66,444 deaths.

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