The Department of Health (DOH) on Thursday announced the total confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country is now at 32,295 after 470 cases were reported. The number of recoveries increased to 8,656 while the death toll rose to 1,204. Based on the data presentation of DOH, 96 percent of all cases are mild, 0.5 percent are severe, and 0.1 percent are critical. The health department claimed that this is an indication that the country is now recovering from the disease.
DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said if the national epidemic curve will be used as basis, the increase in the number of cases is gradual and not sudden.
“Ang national daily number of cases na makikita sa blue bars ay nag- stabilize na rin. Atin pong i-expect na tataas pa rin ang kaso habang unti-unti nating binubuksan ang ating ekonomiya (The national daily number of cases have stabilized. We expect it would increase as we are gradually opening the economy).”
The graph showed by the DOH in its press briefing showed the situation in the NCR has stabilized while Visayas has seen a surge in cases. Data from Regions 7 and 8 are included. “Ang mga lugar kung saan tayo nakakakita ng emerging hotspots o lugar kung saan dumadami ang kaso ay ang (Places with emerging hotspots or places with increasing number of cases) are Cebu City, Cebu Province, Ormoc City, Southern Leyte, Leyte and Samar,” Vergeire disclosed.
The health department also reported that the reproduction number of COVID-19 in the country is nearing 1, which can indicate lesser transmission. Case fatality rate also continues to decline and is currently at 3.73 percent. The positivity rate from more than 594,000 tests conducted in the country is at 6.9 percent.
The DOH is now looking at the possibility of using pool testing to maximize laboratory capacity which will use an algorithm and will divide specimens into groups. – Report from Mark Fetalco
