COVID-19 recovery: Philippines scores last in Nikkei global index

MANILA, Philippines — A global coronavirus recovery index ranked the Philippines the country furthest from overcoming the pandemic, falling behind a total of 120 nations and areas. 

Nikkei’s COVID-19 Recovery Index scores countries and regions on infection management, vaccination rollout and programs, and social mobility. 

The Philippines earned the 121st spot, falling one spot below its ranking from the previous edition of the index released last month. The latest version of the index took into account data as of Sept. 30, 2021. 

"In the Philippines, daily new cases have started to drop after hitting the second-highest level on September 29, falling below 10,000 on Tuesday for the first time since August," a Nikkei Asia report on the index reads.

"But less than 30% of the population is fully vaccinated, low even among ASEAN countries." 

The country's caseload reached 2.62 million as of Wednesday with a positivity rate of 18.2%.

Meanwhile, only 20.54% of Filipinos have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 even as health experts have said that 90% of the population must be vaccinated to attain herd immunity. 

Vaccination rates have consistently fallen short of the 500,000 daily target set by officials. In the last week, an average of 433,859 doses have been administered daily. 

A pilot granular lockdown system is currently being implemented in the capital region and will stay in place until at least October 15. — Bella Perez-Rubio