Fourteen areas in Metro Manila are recording a minor increase in Covid-19 cases, the Department of Health (DOH).
"Sa NCR , out of the 17 areas, mayroon po tayong 14 na areas na may positive na growth rate (In NCR, out of the 17 areas, we have 14 areas with positive growth rates)," said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Saturday, June 11.
However, the slight rise in cases is not considered "significant" at this point in time, said Vergeire.
"Pero katulad nga ng sabi natin, hindi pa po siya ganoon ka-significant because iyon pong ating admissions naman sa mga ospital ay hindi naman po tumataas pa. At ang ating severe and critical, hindi rin mataas (But as I've said, it is not that significant yet because our hospital admissions are not increasing. And the number of severe and critical cases are not that high as well)," she noted.
One of the factors that contributed to this rise in cases is the presence of the more transmissible Omicron subvariants. Another is the waning immunity since many eligible Filipinos have yet to receive their booster shots, said Vergeire.
Quezon City situation
In a related development, Vergeire also confirmed that Quezon City is currently experiencing an uptick in cases. She made this pronouncement amid a circulating photo that the city is under "yellow status."
She said that the photo was a slide during an internal meeting of the Quezon City officials. However, it was leaked.
"Gusto ko lang pong paalalahanan ang ating mga kababayan, tama po kayo, tama rin po iyong slide na mayroon talagang pagtaas ng kaso dito po sa Quezon City (I just want to remind our citizens---that you are right, and the slide is also correct as there is really an increase in cases in Quezon City) and even in other parts of Metro Manila," said Vergeire.
The DOH spokesperson allayed fears over this development.
"Kailangan lang tuluy-tuloy tayo sa pagprotekta sa ating sarili by wearing the mask always at saka lagi po tayong mag-iisip na kapag tayo ay may sakit na, mag-isolate na po tayo at huwag nang lumabas ng bahay and thirdly, magpabakuna na po tayo (We just need to continue to protect ourselves by wearing masks. When we are sick, let's isolate and thirdly, get vaccinated already)," said Vergeire.