As the country reached its 100th day of quarantine restrictions, the Department of Health (DOH) announced the case doubling time has been prolonged to 7.26 days from the initial two to three days. It also reported that the critical care utilization rate (CCUR) remains low at 35 percent. This means that the health capacity of the country is not overwhelmed.
The DOH pointed out there are indications that the trend in the country is flattening but advised the public to be careful in interpreting it. There are still areas with increasing cases such as Cebu.
“Hindi sila nasa critical level kasi ang critical level is 70 percent and up, but they are in the warning zone already. Kaya sila napunta sa ECQ, because their critical care utilization is already in that warning zone (They are not in critical level because critical level is 70% up but their CCUR is already in the warning zone. That’s why they are under ECQ),” DOH
USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire explained.
The health department has also admitted the weaknesses of its system such as in analyzing data, especially in the reported cases within the past few days which are considerably high. It added that is sees the increase in cases as caused by the increased actual testing capacity which now averages from 12,000 to 13,000 tests a day.
Meanwhile, 789 fresh and 361 late confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported, bringing the total count to 31,825 as of June 23. Casualties rose to 1,186 with nine more deaths while recoveries continue to increase at 8,442 after 299 recuperated. – Report from Mark Fetalco
