HEALTH Secretary Francisco Duque III on Monday night said the Philippines is now at “critical risk” for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) following the spike in daily new cases in the country.
“Our country is currently in critical risk case classification,” Duque said during the Talk to the People address of President Duterte.
Duque said the country recorded a 690 percent increase in its reported seven-day average daily cases; a 3,663 percent increase in its two-week growth rate; a 10.47 percent average daily attack rate (ADAR), and a 40.4 percent positivity rate.
He also said the country’s total bed utilization rate is at 40 percent, up from 28 percent from January 2, while its intensive care unit (ICU) bed rate is at 38 percent, up from 23 percent.
Likewise, the mechanical ventilator utilization rate is at 17 percent, up from 13 percent.
Duque also told the President that other areas at critical risk are the National Capital Region (NCR) with a 7172 percent increase in its in its two-week growth rate and 51.77 percent ADAR; Calabarzon (Region IV-A) with a 6,183 percent increase in its in two-week growth rate and 31.69 percent ADAR; and Central Luzon (Region III) with a 4,620 percent increase in its two-week growth rate and 8.03 percent ADAR.
Classified under high risk are eight regions namely the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Cagayan Valley (Region II), Ilocos (Region I), Western Visayas (Region VI), Bicol (Region V), Central Visayas (Region VII), Mimaropa (Region IV-B) and Davao (Region XII); while five regions are at moderate risk namely: Caraga, Northern Mindanao (Region X), Soccksksargen (Region XII), Bangsamoro Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and Zamboanga Peninsula (Region IX).
COVID-19 cases in the country yesterday breached the three million-mark, with 28,007 new active cases reported. On Monday, the Department of Health (DOH) reported the country’s all-time high of 33,169 cases.
The independent OCTA Research group yesterday said Metro Manila, the country’s COVID-19 epicenter, is at “very high” risk classification,
Based on its latest data analysis, OCTA fellow Guido David said the seven-day average cases in NCR has increased from 1,800 (December 28 to January 3) to 12,661 (January 4 to 10).
He said the group has also noted an increase in the region’s average daily attack rate, which is now considered under “severe” classification at 89.42 per 100,000 population, as compared to 12.71 a week ago.
“The ADAR increased to 89.42, which is above the threshold for a severe outbreak, which is greater than 75 per 100,000 population,” said David.
OCTA also noted how the positivity rate is now classified “very high” after it climbed to 48 percent compared to 20 percent a week ago.
On the other hand, OCTA said the reproduction rate of COVID-19 in Metro Manila remained at “very high” risk classification despite dropping to 5.22 from 5.65 a week earlier.
BED OCCUPANCY
In a virtual press briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said COVID beds in the country remain at “low risk” classification.
“Despite case increases, the national healthcare utilization rate remains to be at low risk,” said Vergeire, adding: “It is not a cause for concern as compared to when we were having the Delta experience.”
Vergeire said the COVID-19 bed occupancy rate in the country is only at 40 percent, while its ICU bed occupancy is even lower at 38 percent.
However, the health official said the situation is slightly different in Metro Manila.
“Some of the regions, like NCR, have COVID-19 bed utilization rate that is nearing the moderate risk threshold,” said Vergeire.
“Moderate risk” classification for health systems capacity is between 50 percent to 70 percent occupancy rate.
Vergeire noted how majority of the admitted COVID-19 cases in the NCR are those considered as “incidental” cases, or those patients admitted for other conditions but tested positive for COVID-19 upon admission.
“NCR hospitals are showing the same pattern, with more COVID-19 patients being admitted that are incidental,” she said.
In a related development, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said six public hospitals in the city — Ospital ng Maynila, Sta. Ana Hospital, Ospital ng Sampaloc, Justice Jose Abad Santos Medical Center, Ospital ng Tondo and the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Hospital — will only admit severe or critical cases of COVID-19.
As of January 10, Manila recorded 510 new COVID cases, bringing to 1,760 the total number of active cases in the city. One new death was also recorded, bringing the death toll to 1,785.
“This is to enable the said hospitals to be used for their original purpose to provide medical attention to those who have other illnesses such as cancer, heart problems, those undergoing dialysis or about to give birth,” Moreno said.
Moreno said patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms but with underlying medical conditions will also be admitted to the said hospitals.
For those with very mild symptoms or asymptomatic, Moreno said they should isolate themselves in their respective homes or if they do not have adequate space in their homes, they can be brought to the city’s 14 quarantine facilities.
COVID RESPONSE
Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the government should make good use of the resources that Congress has given it to stop the rapid spread of COVID-19.
“All the resources have been given by Congress to the Executive Department, particularly the DOH. It’s an issue of competence that they have to resolve,” Sotto said.
Sen. Francis Pangilinan said it is about time that the government offer free COVID-19 testing to its citizens, saying that if the national government can afford to purchase overpriced face shields, there should be no problem in allocating funds for the free testing.
Local and international health experts have earlier proposed that the Philippines perform at least 120,000 tests daily to efficiently handle the health crisis.
Pangilinan said the country’s present test is nowhere near half of the recommended number.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros said the government should conduct RT-PCR tests to at least 150,000 individuals a day to get a real picture of the number of new daily infections so that proper health protocols can be observed.
“This is the third year that I am calling on the IATF to increase its RT-PCR testing to at least 150,000 per day. At the rate we are going, IATF has to double their daily output. Also, testing should be for free for high-risk individuals and the vulnerable sectors like the senior citizens,” Hontiveros said. — With Gerard Naval, Ashzel Hachero and Raymond Africa
