By Pearl Gumapos
The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday (Jan. 22) said the National Capital Region (NCR), Region 4A, and Region 3 still have the most number of COVID-19 cases.
“Sa ngayon, iyon pa ring malalaki nating rehiyon ang may pinakamataas na numero ng mga kaso. These would be NCR, we have Region 4A, and we have Region 3,” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during the Laging Handa public briefing.
“Pati po sa positivity rate ay pumapalo po na mataas talaga ang kanilang positivity rate, maging sa ibang rehiyon katulad ng CAR [Cordillera Administrative Region], Region 2, at saka Region 8,” she said.
The official said it is too early for NCR to de-escalate to Alert Level 2, noting that the peak of cases might take place by the end of January or by mid-February. She added that they are monitoring the COVID-19 situation in all provinces of CAR.
Meanwhile, Vergeire said that most provincial hospitals are ready in terms of supply and equipment in case a surge in cases comes.
“Kapag tiningnan natin sa kabuuan, mukhang preparado naman po talaga ang ating mga ospital dahil nanggaling tayo from our experience with Delta, kung saan talaga lahat ay nakapaghanda na bago dumating ang Omicron ,” she said.
“Pero mayroon pa rin tayong kino-closely monitor na mga areas ngayon na medyo nagkakaroon ng kakulangan sa pag-allocate ng COVID-19 beds,” she added. -ag
Watch the full interview with USec. Vergeire here: