THE coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the Philippines continues to improve, with average daily cases going down to just 2,201 as of September 14.
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday said the “end is in sight” for the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The Department of Health (DOH) said reported cases in the recent week is seven percent lower than the previous week’s average of 2,369 cases.
“Nationally, we are seeing a slow continued decline in cases,” the DOH said.
In a separate report, the health department said almost all parts of the country are already seeing slow downward trends, except for Mindanao which is still seeing a plateauing of COVID-19 cases.
But despite the dowtrend in the number of cases reported, the DOH noted that the overall positivity rate in the country went up to 12.5 percent as of September 13, from the 12 percent last week.
The independent OCTA Research has earlier said that Metro Manila’s positivity rate grew to 13.3 percent (September 9) from 12.1 percent (September 2).
The WHO has set a threshold of 5 percent for positivity rate.
Interior Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos yesterday vowed to continue shepherding local government units (LGUs) in the fight against COVID-19 after President Marcos Jr extended the nationwide state of calamity due to the continuing pandemic.
In welcoming the extension of the state of calamity until the end of the year, Abalos said this will allow government agencies to adopt more programs towards the “new normal.”
“The extension of the state of calamity for another three months will provide national and local governments extra time to carry out economic, social, and health interventions to allow our country and our people to continue to trudge to the new normal and adapt to the challenges brought about by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said Abalos.
Abalos, a key member of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, reiterated the DILG’s commitment to help LGUs prevent the spread of the disease.
“With this extension, we commit to continue to shepherd our local government units to sustain their efforts in mitigating and preventing the spread of COVID-19 in their respective localities and to ensure the safety and protection of their constituents against the virus,” he said.
Abalos urged LGUs to utilize their appropriated funds, including their Quick Response Fund, “to address the immediate needs of their constituents and speed up their COVID-19 vaccination and booster drive to strengthen our nation’s wall of immunity.”
“The DILG understands this transition period is critical and remains committed and steadfast to fully assist LGUs in providing efficient, timely, and appropriate COVID-19 response and services to protect the Filipino people during this State of Calamity,” said Abalos. — With Victor Reyes
