DOH says ‘low-risk’ regions down to 4
THE Department of Health’ (DOH) yesterday said the whole Philippine archipelago is now at “minimal risk” from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) based on its latest data.
In a virtual press briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the national classification has gone down to minimal risk after being at “low risk” last week.
Vergeire said the two-week growth rate registered nationwide at negative 57 percent, while the average daily attack rate (ADAR) was at 0.67 per 100,000 population.
Of the 17 regions, the DOH said 13 regions are at minimal risk classification, while four others are still at low risk. The four are Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Zamboanga Peninsula, and National Capital Region (NCR).
The DOH also noted how the current average daily cases in the country after the September 2021 wave has gone lower than those seen after the August 2020 and April 2021 peaks seen.
“The recent cases per day is already lower than the lowest numbers after the August 2020 and April 2021 peaks,” said the DOH.
For the period of November 29 to December 5, the average daily cases in the country was at 544, which is lower than the 1,130 cases registered for the period of December 27 to January 2, or after the August 2020 peak; as well as the 4,982 cases registered for the period of July 12 to July 18, or after the April 2021 peak.
Vergeire flagged Eastern Samar and Zamboanga Sibugay which showed positive case growth rates in the current week as well as a slight increase in ADARs.
Data shows that Zamboanga Sibugay had a 338.46 percent growth rate, while Eastern Samar cases went up by 200 percent.
In all aspects, the National Capital Region (NCR) is faring better against COVID-19 than last year, the independent OCTA Research said in assessing the pandemic situation in the country.
OCTA fellow Guido David, in a social media post, said the epicenter of the pandemic in the Philippines has better numbers as of December 5 this, from exactly a year ago.
David noted how the average number of cases is lower by 70 percent at 112 in 2021, compared to 370 in 2020.
Similarly, David said the reproduction number in the region is better at 0.35 compared to the 0.92 last year.
The average daily attack rate in the region has also improved to 0.79 per 100,000 population, compared to 2.61 last year.
The OCTA said the positivity rate is likewise better this year at 1.1 percent, compared to 3.7 percent last year.
David also said that improvements have also been observed in hospital bed occupancy rates at 21 percent, compared to 37 percent last year.
Lastly, OCTA said the ICU (intensive care unit) bed occupancy rate is better at 28 percent, compared to 46 percent last year.
Asked where the stark improvement can be attributed, David cited the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines in the country. The government’s vaccination program kicked off in March 2021.
With just over two weeks before Christmas Day, the DOH reminded Filipinos to keep their celebrations healthy and safe from COVID-19 and other illnesses during the holidays.
In the virtual press launch of the “Ligtas Christmas sa Healthy Pilipinas” campaign, Vergeire called on everyone to continuously practice minimum public health standards, as well as choose healthier options during feasts and similar yuletide activities.
“The best gift we could give our loved ones is a safe and healthy celebration,” Vergeire said, as she appealed to the public not to let their guards down against the coronavirus and prioritize the health and safety of their families by practicing minimum public health standards.
Aside from being safe, the DOH also underscored the importance of choosing healthier options during the festivities, such as practicing food moderation, consumption of well-balanced and nutrient-rich foods, avoidance of harmful intake of alcohol, and cessation of cigarette smoking and vaping.
Aside from a safe and healthy Christmas, the health official said they are also calling on everybody to prevent fireworks-related injuries by avoiding its use during the New Year revelry.
She said it would be best if families just participate in community fireworks displays instead of lighting their own pyrotechnics.
Vergeire also urged families to use alternative noisemakers, such as sound systems, percussion instruments, pans, tambourines, and bells, among others.
