The Department of Health (DOH) has observed an increase of COVID-19 positivity rate in Metro Manila.
According to DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, the positivity rate in the National Capital Region has increased to 16.4%. NCR has been placed under moderate risk case classification.
The healthcare utilization rate also increased in the region from 36% to 39%, while the intensive care unit utilization rose from 24% to 33%.
Eleven out of the 17 cities and municipalities in NCR are also under moderate risk case classification, while six towns recorded increases in terms of ward admissions in hospitals.
The NCR’s overall healthcare utilization rate remains at a low risk level.
According to Vergeire, the increase of COVID-19 cases is due to increased mobility.
“Hindi natin puwede i-attribute ang pagtaas ng kaso sa pagtanggal ng mask outdoors, it will take us one to two weeks to analyze its effects. What we can say is tumaas ang mobility since face-to-face classes,” Vergeire said.
Following the statement of the World Health Organization (WHO) on the possible end of the pandemic, the DOH reiterated the importance of measures on achieving it such as surveillance, clinical management, vaccination, institutionalizing infection prevention and control measures, risk communication, and managing the infodemic.
“We agree with Dr. Tedros, globally pag tiningnan natin, base sa mga statistics, base sa coverage ng immunization, mukhang they are seeing the light at the end of this tunnel,” Vergeire said.
“Pero dito sa Pilipinas, pag tiningnan natin, ako personally, nakikita namin na mukhang matatapos na nga pero kailangan handa tayo kasi alam natin kahit matapos itong pandemyang ito, the virus is here to stay, that’s why WHO recommended these six measures,” she added.
In Thursday’s Laging Handa briefing, Dr. Guido David of OCTA Research said that based on their study, 60% to 70% of people still prefer to wear a face mask despite the approval of its voluntary use in open spaces.
“Alam na nating protektahan ang sarili natin, at kung kakailanganin magsuot ng face mask, hindi kailangan dapat iutos ‘yan para tayo mismo magsususot tayo ng face mask. Malaking aspect dito ‘yan, personal responsibility, and I think tanggap naman ‘yan ng mga kababayan natin,” David said. –Report from Mark Fetalco/KC-ag
