The Department of Health (DOH) said it is closely monitoring the country's Covid-19 case trend following the detection of the Omicron BA.2.12 subvariant.

In a statement, the DOH said it recorded a slight increase in the country's reproduction number. A reproduction number is the average number of people that can be infected by a Covid-19 positive individual. If the reproduction number is less than one, the virus transmission is slowing down.

"The Department of Health assures the public that it is continuously monitoring case trends nationwide. Although there is an incremental increase in reproduction number (Rt) from 0.82 at the start of March 2022 to 1.03 last April 22, these were small and not sustained," it said.

The number of hospital admissions remains low despite the slight increase in the reproduction number, the Health agency said.

"Such changes have not led to any sustained increases in admissions. Severe and critical contribution to admissions have likewise remained constant. Further, we have been able to maintain low total and ICU (intensive care unit) bed utilization rates," the DOH said.

"Moreover, it is important to note that the reproduction number is just one of the metrics that is used by the department to monitor and assess the Covid-19 situation in the country," it added.

The DOH also reminded the public that the number of cases may rise "if we do not maintain and follow compliance to minimum public health standards."

"The public is likewise highly encouraged to get fully vaccinated if you have yet to do so and boosted if you have completed the primary series of vaccines," it said.

"Immunocompromised individuals should also get their second boosters at the soonest available time to ensure maximum protection against severe and critical symptoms caused by the virus," it added.