By Katrina Gracia Consebido
The Department of Health (DOH) said daily COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) may reach up to 11,186 by the end of July based on FASSSTER projections.
The movement in the number of cases is dependent on the compliance with minimum public health standards (MPHS), vaccination drive, and mobility.
With improved MPHS compliance, case uptrend will be on a “slower rate” with daily cases ranging from 4,651 to 6,037.
In terms of national daily case count by the end of July, it may reach 17,105 with the current compliance rate.
READ MORE: DOH: Daily cases may hit 17-K by July 31 if health protocol compliance down by 21%
“If MPHS further declines, along with other factors contributing to higher transmission rates such as lowered vaccination effective coverage and higher mobility, cases may be as high as 22,187,” the DOH said in response to reporters Tuesday, July 12.
Health authorities continue to call on the eligible population who have not yet received their due COVID-19 vaccine dose to get vaccinated.
Meanwhile, OCTA Research has observed an escalation in the healthcare utilization rate (HCUR) of NCR and other regions.
Based on DOH data as of July 11, there is an increase of 30.1% in NCR’s HCUR, while intensive care unit (ICU) is at 21.8%.
Hospital admissions have surpassed 50% in Bohol and Iloilo province, while Olongapo’s HCUR reached 64.9%.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the public should “remain vigilant” to lessen the severe and critical COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
“But we would like to remain vigilant. Our surveillance system is up. We are closely monitoring. We are prepared in the communities and even in our hospitals if and when magtuloy-tuloy po ang pagtaas ng kaso dito sa ating bansa,” she said.
The DOH and the National Vaccination Operations Center are working together to strengthen the vaccination drive of the government and to address the increasing cases of COVID-19. – With reports from Mark Fetalco-ag
