PH still under minimal-risk status for Covid-19


(FILE PHOTO)

The Philippines remains under the minimal-risk classification for Covid-19 as the daily number of cases continues to decrease, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

“Kung titingnan natin ang national data, bumababa pa rin po ang ating mga cases. Nationally, 1,115 new cases lamang ang ating naitala or 159 new cases per day mula Mayo 3 hanggang May 9 (If we look at the national data, our cases are still declining. Nationally, we only recorded 1,115 new cases or 159 new cases per day from May 3 to May 9),” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in a press briefing on Tuesday, May 10.

“Mas mababa na po ito ng 95 cases or 37 percent lower than the 254 cases per day na naitala natin noong Dec. 18 to 24, 2021 bago ang ating Omicron experience (This was 95 cases or 37 percent lower than the 254 cases per day we recorded on Dec. 18 to 24, 2021 before our Omicron experience),” she added.

The country’s healthcare utilization rate remains at low-risk classification, said Vergeire.

“Ang national admission rates ay naka plateau na may bahagyang pagbababa ay kasalukuyang nasa 16 percent utilization rate, habang ang ating total ICU bed utilization ay naka plateau rin at 17 percent utilization (National admission rates are plateauing with a slight decrease and is currently at 16 percent utilization rate, while our total ICU bed utilization is also plateauing at 17 percent utilization),” she said.

However, the DOH observed a slight increase in Covid-19 cases in Cagayan Valley, Mimaropa, Bicol, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Ilocos region, Central Luzon, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“Ganunpaman, ang mga bahagyang pagtaas ay hindi pa rin nagta-translate sa higher average daily attack rates at pinaka importante hindi nag translate sa mas maraming admission sa ating hospital (Despite this, the slight increases still do not translate into higher average daily attack rates and most importantly, these do not translate into more admissions to our hospitals),” said Vergeire.