CORONAVIRUS disease (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines continue to surge and is now averaging over 600 per day based on the latest case bulletin of the Department of Health (DOH).
The report showed an average of 637 cases daily for the period of April 24 to 30, which is 42 percent higher than cases reported from April 17 to 23, which averaged 450 infections per day.
In total, the last seven days recorded 4,456 COVID-19 cases.
The DOH bulletin stated that all areas are on an uptrend, with the National Capital Region (NCR) showing the steepest increase.
There were 22 additional severe and critical cases during the past week. No deaths were reported.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they expect the upward trend in cases to persist until next month.
“Hopefully, after June, we can see cases beginning to decline,” Vergeire said.
Vergeire attributed the surge in cases to a “multitude of factors,” among them, “the virus constantly mutating and producing subvariants. Also, the behavior and mobility of the people that leads to more interaction.”
“All of these things are possible reasons for the increase in cases,” she said.
According to Vergeire, the DOH has already advised hospitals to prepare for a possible increase in COVID-19 admissions in the coming weeks.
“When we started observing the increasing trend, we already mobilized our hospitals to implement the accordion principle. They should already reopen their COVID-19 wards that have been closed or converted,” she said.
For now, Vergeire said the hospital bed utilization rate remains to be at “low” level classification nationwide.
In its case bulletin, the DOH reported that there are 351 severe and critical cases in the country, as of April 30.
Of the total severe and critical cases, the report showed that 303 are occupying ICU beds, which account for 15 percent of the 2,021 total nationwide.
On the other hand, there are 3,157 patients occupying COVID-19 beds, or 18.1 percent of the 17,480 total COVID-19 beds allocated all over the country.
POSITIVITY RATES
The independent OCTA Research group said COVID-19 positivity rates are up in many parts of the Philippines, including Metro Manila which is now nearing 20 percent.
OCTA fellow Guido David said in a social media post that 18 out of 19 areas in the country saw their positivity rates increase to double digits as of April 29 compared to April 22.
In the NCR, the positivity rate is at “moderate” level after going up to 17.2 percent from 10.2 percent.
On the other hand, the following areas have “high” and increasing positivity rates: Camarines Sur (39.7% from 32.1%), Rizal (28.5% from 21.7%), Cavite (28.1% from 11.1%), and Laguna (21.2% from 13.2%).
Having moderate positivity rates are Isabela (16.7% from 11.7%), Negros Occidental (14.4% from 10.9%), Cebu (12.3% from 8.2%), Pampanga (12.1% from 8.3%), Benguet (11.5% from 9.2%), Batangas (11.2% from 5.9%), Palawan (10.6% from 5.4%), and Bulacan (10.4% from 7.8%).
Also with moderate positivity rates are Zamboanga del Sur (9.5% from 5.7%), Davao del Sur (8.6% from 7.5%), Pangasinan (7.5% from 3.8%), South Cotabato (7.2% from 6.2%), and Iloilo (5.5% from 3.5%).
The lone area that saw its positivity rate decline the past week was Misamis Oriental (12.9% from 18.1%) and is at moderate classification.
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.
Vergeire said the positivity rate alone cannot provide an accurate picture of the COVID-19 trend in the country because this is highly dependent on the number of tests being done using the reverse transcription – polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
“No matter how high these positivity rates are right now, it won’t provide us with an accurate picture and situation of COVID-19 right now,” she said.
FACE MASK USE
With the upward trend in both reported cases and positivity rates, Vergeire urged everyone to always opt to wear face masks to be protected from COVID-19.
President Marcos Jr. has said that the government is already studying the possible return of the mandatory use of face masks amid the rising number of infections throughout the country.
Vergeire said they have always subscribed to the idea of wearing face masks, especially when the conditions are considered as “high risk”.
“We totally agree to the value of masks protecting us… Masking is a means for us to get protected and not get infected,” she said, adding: “Even I will tell everyone to always choose to wear masks, especially in high-risk areas and if you are considered as high risk.”
But as to whether there is a need to revive the mandatory masking policy, the health official said they are not sold to such calls despite the increasing cases of COVID-19 because cases are expected to have upward and downward trends.
“The people’s mindset has to shift because the cases will go up and down since the virus is not going away and is here to stay,” Vergeire said.
“The national government cannot do back and forth policies because it also affects the other sectors of society,” she said.
Instead, Vergeire urged Filipinos to consider adjusting their “risk tolerance” or the capability to manage fear and avoid panic by staying informed and vigilant against COVID-19.
“Everytime cases surge, people panic, people are fearful. But we should be vigilant and be aware on ways to protect ourselves. Let us be more resilient at times when cases go up and go down,” she said.
It was back in October 2022 when Marcos ordered the lifting of the mandatory masking policy in indoor and outdoor settings in the Philippines. Face masks are only required in high risk areas, such as hospitals and other health facilities.
