The Philippines recorded anew on Monday (Aug. 23) its highest daily reported COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic at 18,332, bringing the latest tally to 1,857,646.
Department of Health (DOH) data show that 130,350 or 7% of all the cases are active, while 1,695,335 or 91.3% have recovered, and 31,961 or 1.72% died.
The DOH said 94.8% of the active cases have mild symptoms, 2.5% are asymptomatic, 0.6% are critical, 1.2% are severe, and 0.92% have moderate symptoms.
The nationwide intensive care unit (ICU) utilization rate in the country is at 73%, isolation beds’ occupancy rate is at 61%, ward beds at 67%, and ventilators at 54%.
Delta community transmission
The DOH observed the possibility of Delta variant community transmission in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Calabarzon, after case investigation at phylogenetic analysis failed to determine connection of some cases.
“Currently, we have seen and observed, especially in NCR and Region 4A, na talagang mukhang community transmission na ito. Nakita natin na wala ng link ang mga kaso sa bawat isa. We are seeing clustering of cases in these two big regions,” DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said.
There are 1,273 Delta cases in the country to date. The DOH said more evidence is needed to determine community transmission of the said variant.
DOH data show that samples with Delta variant cases increased to 42% in July from 6% in June. The Philippine Genome Center’s (PGC) Aug. 23 report added 466 Delta cases, including 442 local cases, and 14 returning overseas Filipinos.
Below is the breakdown of new cases:
- National Capital Region – 201
- Calabarzon – 49
- Central Luzon – 69
- Cagayan Valley – 7
- Ilocos – 3
- Mimaropa – 14
- Bicol – 4
- Western Visayas – 52
- Central Visayas – 19
- Northern Mindanao – 6
- Davao – 11
- Soccsksargen – 7
New projections
The DOH said active cases may reach 330,000 by September’s end with the implementation of six-week modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) without any improvements in local governments’ response.
However, active cases may settle at around 152,000 for the same period if local governments level up their pandemic response. Active cases may also reach 158,000 with a four-week MECQ followed by two-week general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions.
DOH Sec. Francisco Duque III said prolonged ECQ did not work in some regions, including Region 7 and 10.
“We need to address this, that despite the prolonged ECQ, there seems to be no improvement. It is really troubling, to say the least,” he said.
“Mas magiging effective at mas magiging advantageous kung bababaan natin nang kaunti, pero mag-granular lockdowns tayo at i-improve natin’ yung mga factors dun sa Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Treat-Reintegrate (PDITR) natin,” Vergeire advised. – Report from Mark Fetalco/AG-rir
