COVID cases dip to 3K daily

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THE Department of Health yesterday said the number of new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases reported daily over the past seven days has gone down to 3,412 average infections, or a total of 23,883 during the period August 15 until 21.

The DOH said the number is 15 percent lower than the daily average cases of 4,001 daily reported, or a total of 28,008 cases, from August 8 to 14

Of the new cases, there were 101 additional severe and critical cases, while 321 deaths were reported.

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There are currently 811 severe and critical cases throughout the country, of which 699 are occupying ICU beds, or 27 percent of the 2,586 total nationwide.

On the other hand, there are 6,677 COVID-19 patients who are occupying COVID-19 beds, or 30.2 percent of the 22,076 total COVID-19 beds allocated nationwide.

In a televised public briefing, infectious disease expert Dr. Edsel Salvaña said the higher number of deaths due to COVID-19 in recent months is likely due to having more cases reported.

“It is true that we have deaths in July and August that are higher than what we had between February and June, where we had very low numbers,” said Salvaña on Monday, adding: “It (increase in deaths) is natural once cases also go up.”

Salvaña, however, stressed that the numbers still pale compared to what was seen during the previous surge in COVID-19 cases.

“Even though the numbers have gone up, it’s not to the extent that we saw during the Delta surge,” he said.

Last week, DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said they have observed an increasing number of deaths over the last two months, with June averaging one death per day to August’s nine deaths daily.

OCTA

The independent OCTA Research yesterday said the improving numbers of COVID indicators in the National Capital Region (NCR) has been holding up since the latest surge peaked earlier this month.

In a social media post, OCTA fellow Guido David said they have observed the continued downward trend in COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila for the past two weeks, “a good sign moving forward.”

“NCR remained at moderate risk at this time but the two-week decline is very encouraging,” he also said.

David said the one-week growth rate of new cases in the NCR is already at -15 percent (as of August 21), from the -1 percent (as of August 14).

The positivity rate in Metro Manila also dipped to 14.6 percent (as of August 20) from 16.3 percent (as of August 13), while the reproduction number dropped to 1.03 (as of August 18), compared with 1.11 (as of August 11).

OCTA also said the region recorded a lower average daily attack rate of 7.32 per 100,000 (as of August 21) from 8.70 per 100,000 (as of August 14).

LUZON POSITIVITY RATES

But while the downward trend is observed in the NCR, 19 areas in Luzon continue to see “high” to “very high” positivity rates.

According to OCTA, very high positivity rates of over 20 percent have been observed in 10 provinces in Nueva Ecija (49.1%), Camarines Sur (47.6%), Tarlac (40.4%), Isabela (39.5%), Cagayan (35.7%), Albay (31%), La Union (24.9%), Pampanga (22.8%), Laguna (21.4%), and Benguet (20.9%).

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On the other hand, nine provinces in Luzon are with high positivity rates or over 10 percent, which include Zambales (18.7%), Quezon (18.4%), Pangasinan (17.6%), Bulacan (15.5%), Ilocos Norte (15%), Rizal (14.5%), Cavite (14%), Batangas (12.5%), and Bataan (10.5%).

The World Health Organization has set a threshold of 5 percent for positivity rate.

CASE HIKE

Salvaña said an increase in COVID-19 cases can be expected in the coming weeks due to the resumption of face-to-face classes in public schools nationwide.

“Definitely, there is increased mobility. Thus, it is inevitable that more can be infected, especially with these kids possibly bringing the virus home and spreading it,” said Salvaña, adding that the increase in cases will be evident several weeks after the school opening on Monday.

“Usually, it takes 2 to 4 weeks of any intervention for us to be able to say we made a good decision, or it is controlled, or cases are increasing. For this opening of classes, we are going to see the effects of this on transmission in about 2 to 4 weeks,” he said.

He said this is where the extension of the state of calamity due to the pandemic would come in handy for the government.

“It’s probably safer to continue the public health emergency while we await the effects of the school opening,” said the medical expert.

Salvaña said it is still possible for the country to maintain transmission at a manageable level by adhering to existing health protocols. “It is very important that we know what works and continue to do that. It’s really on the adherence to our strategies,” he said.

He said it will also be a good idea to consider wearing masks at home, especially those with members of the vulnerable sectors.

“While there are children going to school, some people might want to wear masks at home, limit interactions with the children, especially for those with vulnerable population, to prevent transmission of the virus,” said Salvaña.

He also reiterated the government’s call for all eligible individuals to get vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19, especially with vaccination sites established in several schools.

“It (vaccination) is strongly recommended for children going back to schools. So, it is very important that the government makes it convenient,” he said.

Lastly, he expressed hopes that the COVID-19 booster shots for children aged 5 to 11 years old be approved soon.

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