The Department of Health (DOH) said that the country's Covid-19 cases continue to climb with an average daily cases of more than 900.
"National and all regions observe continued case increases in the recent weeks with 88 percent of provinces, HUCs (highly urbanized cities), and ICCs (independent component cities) across all island groups showing positive growth in cases," the DOH said in its situationer report released on Friday, July 1.
From June 25 to July 1, the DOH said it recorded a total of 6,399 cases. In that period, the daily case average was 914. This was 53 percent higher than the average daily cases reported the previous week (June 18 to 24) which was at 599.
The DOH said that the regions with the most number of new cases from June 25 to July 1 include the National Capital Region (NCR), Calabarzon, Western Visayas, Central Luzon, and Central Visayas.
"Most areas show sharp increase in cases with NCR reaching almost 450 cases daily," the DOH said.
Flagged areas
The DOH also flagged 57 areas outside Metro Manila that showed positive growth rate in the past one to two weeks.
These areas are: Baguio City, Abra, Apayao, Mountain Province, La Union, Dagupan City, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan, Isabela, Lucena City, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Puerto Princesa City, Romblon, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Angeles City, and Pampanga.
Also included are Albay, Naga City, Sorsogon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Iloilo City, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu City, Mandaue City, Cebu, Lapu-Lapu City (Opon), Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Tacloban City, Biliran, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Davao City, Davao Occidental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, North Cotabato, Agusan del Sur, and Tawi-Tawi.
Despite the increase in cases, the DOH said that the country's healthcare utilization rate remains at low-risk.
"Total beds utilization remains at low risk at 19 percent utilization rate," the DOH said.
"National ICU (intensive care unit) utilization remains at low risk at 15 percent utilization rate," it added.
The DOH reminded everyone on the importance of vaccination and health protocols.
"As we maintain mobility, we must ensure safeguards such as vaccination and boosters as well as minimum public health standards remain in place,” it said.