THE Department of Health on Tuesday said it has observed a slowdown in the number of new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country in just about a month that the Luzon-wide lockdown has been in effect.
“According to our experts, the doubling time is already slowing down. Before, it took only 3 days to see a double in cases. Now, we are already at 5 days doubling time,” said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.
She said this is a marked improvement in the pandemic, although the target is a 30-day doubling time.
“This means that if the cases for April 20 is at 6,000, the COVID-19 cases by May 20 should be at 12,000 only. What we want is for the doubling time to be at 30 days,” said Vergeire.
Vergeire also said at least 30 provinces have longer doubling times. “About 30 provinces need to continue being careful so that the good news for them will continue,” she said.
Other provinces, she added, have yet to record any confirmed COVID-19 cases.
“Large majority of cases are really in the National Capital Region (NCR),” said Vergeire.
Data from the DOH showed that 4,600 of the total 6,599 COVID-19 cases, as of Tuesday, are from Metro Manila.
A total of 140 new COVID-19 cases were reported on Tuesday, with nine new fatalities (total of 437) and 41 new recoveries (654 total).
The new coronavirus that originated in China has spread to 213 countries and territories since the COVID-19 outbreak in China’s Wuhan City in December.
According to the World Health Organization, there were some 2.4 million individuals affected and at least 160,120 deaths globally as of Tuesday.
In Southeast Asia, the Philippines moved down to second place among countries with COVID-19 cases. Now at first place is Singapore followed by Malaysia.
Vergeire said despite the apparent slowdown, there remains no room for complacency because the virus is known to be a “traitor,” as seen in other countries.
“In times you would think you have already beaten it, it will suddenly make a comeback and wreak havoc,” she said.
This, Vergeire said, means physical distancing, washing of hands, cough etiquette, and frequent sanitation of surfaces must remain in practice.
“Let us not be complacent,” Vergeire said.
FILIPINOS ABROAD
The number of Filipinos abroad who were infected with the novel coronavirus has breached the 1, 000 mark after 94 new cases were reported in the Americas, Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions.
Data provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs Tuesday showed that 1,084 Filipinos in 42 countries were infected with COVID-19, with 662 still undergoing treatment while 269 have recovered.
The DFA said 10 more Filipinos abroad also succumbed to the virus, bringing the total to 153.
“Based on the updated figures, the rate of new recoveries and new deaths as of today are at 2.28 percent and 6.99 percent respectively,” the DFA added.
The Americas registered the most deaths among Filipinos abroad with 88 followed by Europe with 54 while the Middle East and Africa have nine, and Asia and the Pacific region, two.
Europe has the most cases among Filipinos abroad with 371 with 289 still recuperating while 28 have recovered. Asia and the Pacific came in next in terms of cases with 279 although 168 have recovered. The Americas has 278 cases with 121 still undergoing treatment while 69 have recovered.
There were 156 cases among Filipinos in the Middle East and African regions with 143 still confined in various hospitals while four were discharged after recovery.
PNP
PNP chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa said that the PNP has 74 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 12 recoveries and three deaths.
He said the infected police officers are being taken care of in facilities built inside PNP camps nationwide, including that in Camp Crame.
“We have established quarantine areas with Camp Crame kasi ang iniisip namin kami rin dito sa PNP nagpapatupad ng aming biosafety measures (because were also considered that we are also implementing biosafety measures),” Gamboa said.
He said an additional 120-bed capacity quarantine facility is being out up in front of the PNP Grandstand in Camp Crame.
He said the PNP will also soon have its own COVID testing center.
The New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City remained COVID-free, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said.
BuCor spokesman Gabriel Chaclag said 76 inmates previously reported to be under monitoring and under investigation have tested negative for the virus.
The Correctional Institute for Women in Mandaluyong City confirmed 18 of its inmates and a jail officer have tested positive for COVID-19.
Aside from the NBP and the CIW, the BuCor operates five other prison colonies across the country.
