THE independent OCTA Research group yesterday reported that 12 provinces in the country continue to register “moderate” coronavirus disease (COVID-19) positivity rates on the heels of the lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency due to the pandemic.
Based on its July 29 report, OCTA said there are eight provinces with moderate positivity rates but have declining numbers as compared to the previous week. These provinces include Bataan (12.6 percent to 7.8 percent), Benguet (11.6 percent to 6.2 percent), Cagayan (12 percent to 8.3 percent), Camarines Sur (19.4 percent to 16.8 percent), Laguna (5.5 percent to 5.2 percent), Oriental Mindoro (10 percent to 7.5 percent), Palawan (8.4 percent to 6.4 percent), and Pangasinan (8.7 percent to 6.2 percent).
On the other hand, four provinces showed moderate positivity rates but are on an upward trend. They are Batangas (3.5 percent to 5.4 percent), Isabela (11.2 percent to 14.7 percent), Tarlac (10 percent to 12 percent), and Zambales (5.8 percent to 7 percent).
The OCTA said the National Capital Region (NCR) and six provinces have “low” positivity rates, with Metro Manila’s rate dropping from 3.3 percent to 2.7 percent.
Others with declining low positivity rates are Bulacan (3.8 percent to 3.2 percent), La Union (3.5 percent to 3.2 percent), Pampanga (6 percent to 4.5 percent), Quezon (3.7 percent to 2.4 percent), and Rizal (5.2 percent to 2.1 percent).
Also with low positivity rate but with a slight uptick is Cavite (3.2 percent to 3.8 percent).
Positivity rate is the percentage of people who test positive for the virus out of the overall number of those who have been tested. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set the threshold for positivity rate for COVID-19 at 5 percent, which means the transmission is under control.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health yesterday said the average daily COVID-19 cases in the country has dropped to 186 cases for the period of July 24 to 30, or 1,302 infections during the last seven days.
The DOH noted that this is 22 percent lower than cases reported from July 17 to 23, which averaged 239 cases daily.
There were 30 additional severe and critical cases during the past week, while 49 deaths were reported.
The DOH said there are 356 severe and critical cases in the country, as of July 30. Of this number, 212 patients are occupying ICU beds, which account for 11.8 percent of the 1,802 total nationwide.
On the other hand, it said 2,413 patients are occupying 15.4 percent of the total 15,674 COVID-19 beds in the country.
Despite the lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency due to COVID-19 last July 21 and the lower average daily cases, Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa urged the public to continue using face masks when in vulnerable areas.
With the lifting of the public health emergency status, the DOH eased all COVID-19 health protocols, including the mandatory wearing of face masks in crowded and highly vulnerable places such as hospitals and medical facilities. The mandatory use of face mask and observance of physical distancing were also lifted in public transportation.
In a television interview, Herbosa called out the attention of those who are considered as highly vulnerable to COVID-19, such as senior citizens and those with comorbidities.
“It is no longer mandatory, but it is also not prohibited for a person to wear a mask. If you feel that your safety is threatened by respiratory infection, you are welcome to wear a mask,” Herbosa said.
The health chief said the advisory is also applicable to the youth, particularly those set to return to classes in the coming weeks.
“For kids that go to school who are immunocompromised, like with leukemia, kidney disease… I would recommend that they wear masks to protect themselves from other infections,” said Herbosa.
Similarly, he said students with symptoms of COVID-19 and other flu-like symptoms are advised to just stay home. “During recitation, when you speak and stand up, you can spread the virus. So, it is important to stay home,” he said.
Lastly, the DOH head said members of the population vulnerable to infection are still strongly urged to update their vaccination status.
“The high-risk individuals, the elderly, those with cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, chronic tuberculosis, they are highly recommended to get the bivalent vaccines,” he said.
