Positivity rates in 19 Luzon areas also dip
THE number of new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases reported daily over the past seven days has declined below the 3,000-mark, the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday.
An average of 2,752 daily cases were recorded for the period of August 22 to 28, or a total of 19,262 cases nationwide.
The new infections, according to the health department’s COVID-19 Case Bulletin, is 19 percent lower than the cases reported during the period August 15 to 21.
Last Friday, the DOH said that COVID-19 cases in the country, including Metro Manila, are already on a decline.
Of the new cases, there were 110 additional severe and critical cases, increasing the total number of such cases to 807 as of August 28.
Of the total severe and critical cases, the report showed that 635 are occupying ICU beds, or 24.9 percent of the 2,551 total ICU beds nationwide.
On the other hand, there are 5,986 COVID-19 patients who are occupying COVID-19 beds, which is 28.1 percent of the 21,287 total COVID-19 beds allocated throughout the country.
The DOH also said 316 deaths were verified during the same period.
As COVID-19 cases continue to dip, the independent OCTA Research group reported that positivity rates in 19 areas of Luzon, including the National Capital Region (NCR), have dropped over the past seven days.
In a social media post, OCTA fellow Guido David some areas have even improved their classification levels, as of August 27.
Seeing their positivity rates drop but still at “very high” classification are Camarines Sur (46.7% from 47.6%), Nueva Ecija (42.5% from 49.1%), Tarlac (37.3% from 40.4%), Isabela (30.1% from 39.5%), Cagayan (29.7% from 35.7%), Albay (21.2% from 31%), and La Union (20.1% from 24.9%).
Still at “high” classification but positivity rates on a decline are Zambales (17.7% from 18.7%), Quezon (15.6% from 18.7%), Pangasinan (14.1% from 17.6%), Cavite (13.6% from 14%), NCR (12.9% from 14.6%), Bulacan (12.5% from 15.5%), Ilocos Norte (11.7% from 15%), and Batangas (10.6% from 12.5%).
Shifting from very high to high classification are Benguet (18% from 20.9%), Pampanga (16.5% from 22.8%), and Laguna (15.2% from 21.4%).
On the other hand, Bataan had a positivity rate of 8.8 percent from 10.5 percent, and has improved from high to “moderate” level.
Meanwhile, seeing a slight increase but staying at high classification is Rizal (15% from 14.8%).
The World Health Organization (WHO) has set the positivity rate threshold at 5 percent.
But Dr. Rontgene Solante, during the “Laging Handa” public briefing, said an increase in COVID-19 cases can still be expected due to the continued spread of the Omicron BA.5 subvariant, which is the most evasive and current dominant variant globally.
Solante said the cases might even reach 9,000 cases per day if the public becomes complacent in observing health protocols, especially amid the increased people mobility, the holding of more gatherings and events, and the resumption of face-to-face classes.
Solante said even those who have been vaccinated and those who have been sick of COVID-19 in the past can still be infected but at a less severity.
“If you’ll notice the downtrend is so slow. So ano ang indikasyon nito? Ang indikasyon nito is that there is still ongoing community transmission. And we cannot really say that we are off in terms of pwede na tayong mag-relax sa mga health protocols (If you’ll notice the downtrend is so slow. What does this indicate? The indication is there is still ongoing community transmission. And we cannot really say that we are off in terms of relaxing the health protocols),” he said.
The DOH has reported 139 new cases of Omicron BA.5 subvariant as of August 26, which was detected in all regions except Caraga. — With Jocelyn Montemayor
