PROTECTION | In Pasig City, pandemic-themed murals remind residents about the importance of wearing face masks in the fight against COVID-19. Health officials say the continued and proper wearing of masks is among the most effective ways to fight the virus. (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — The number of daily COVID-19 infections recorded on Monday rose to 1,773 — a 31-percent increase from the previous daily average of 1,352 recorded last week — but these were mostly mild cases.
No coronavirus deaths had been reported in the past two weeks, while healthcare utilization remained low, according to the weekly case update of the Department of Health (DOH).
The department said only 53 of 12,414 people who tested positive last week were either seriously or critically ill, as were 437 of 4,185 patients currently admitted in hospitals nationwide.
These patients made up 26 percent of 15,891 individuals still infected as of May 14.
The DOH said 18.8 percent of reserved COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) beds and 21.7 percent of non-ICU beds are occupied.
The healthcare utilization rate is considered at low risk if it is not higher than 20 percent.
Positivity rate
Nevertheless, daily cases have breached the 2,000 level twice in about a span of six months, according to the DOH—the 2,227 logged on Oct. 20 last year and the 2,114 on May 12.
About half of the reported cases have been in Metro Manila, which has seen a sharp increase in coronavirus cases in the last few weeks, followed by the nearby provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.
As of May 10, the positivity rate—or the number of infected persons out of the total number tested—was at 24.9 percent, way above the World Health Organization’s recommended indicator of below 5 percent. It first breached that level on April 8 at 6.5 percent, from 4.4 percent on April 1, according to OCTA Research.
Reminder
The positivity rate may be higher, as the government tally does not cover test samples outside its accredited facilities.
With no additional COVID-19 deaths reported even belatedly, the official death toll stood at 66,453 out of 4.1 million cases since the pandemic began in 2020.
Still, the public was urged “not to be complacent against the threat of COVID-19.”
“The DOH reminds the public to always wear the best-fitted face mask and if possible choose well-ventilated places. Once you feel symptoms, immediately isolate. For added protection against the threat of COVID-19, get vaccinated and avail [yourselves] of the booster,” the department said.