Philippines now classified as low risk for COVID-19

This drive-thru swab testing is offered at the parking grounds of SM San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan province. (Photo courtesy of SM San Jose Del Monte)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is now considered as low risk for COVID-19, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Monday.

“Nationally, we are at low risk case classification with a negative two-week growth rate at -48 percent and a moderate-risk average daily attack rate (ADAR) at 5.89 cases per every 100,000 individuals,” Vergeire said during the Department of Health media forum.

“All of the regions (are) now with a negative two-week growth rate and low to moderate risk case classification,” she went on.

However, Cagayan Valley, Zamboanga Peninsula, Cordillera Administrative Region, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), Ilocos Region, and the National Capital Region (NCR) remain with a high risk ADAR.

Vergeire noted that the national health system capacity is at moderate risk.

Cagayan Valley, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Bicol Region have intensive care unit (ICU) utilization rates at high risk while the rest have low to moderate beds and/or ICU utilization, Vergeire said.

Meanwhile, NCR is moderate risk for COVID-19.

“The National Capital Region shows a negative two-week growth rate and a high-risk average daily attack rate, and is currently at moderate risk classification,” Vergeire shared.

“The ADAR decreased to 8.56 per 100,000 population in the recent week. Its bed and ICU utilization are at low risk, she said.

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