MANILA, Philippines — The growth rate of infections is slowing down, but the Philippines remains at critical risk from COVID-19, the Department of Health said.
“The growth rate of cases is slowing down, decreasing,” DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said Filipino during a televised briefing late Monday.
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From December 21 to 27, the Philippines had an average of 314 infections. Average daily cases increased by 725% from December 28 to January 3, then surged by 689% from January 4 to 10.
During the week of January 11 to 17, average daily cases rose by only 71% with 34,923 infections.
Duque also said that the trend of infections has shown signs of plateauing. “But we still don’t know if cases will spike again or continue plateauing. Hopefully, cases will decline.”
While the spread of COVID-19 is slowing down, the whole country is still at critical risk.
According to Duque, the Philippines posted a 1,805% two-week growth rate. The country’s average daily attack rate also rose to 24.82 per 100,000 individuals.
Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Ilocos region, Calabarzon, Cordillera Administrative Region and Central Luzon are also deemed at critical risk from COVID-19. The remaining regions are at high risk.
Duque added that the country’s healthcare utilization rate is at low risk, with total bed use at 48.33% and intensive care unit utilization at 49.33%.
Daily cases in the Philippines have reached record highs in January as an Omicron-driven surge in infections rips through Metro Manila and surrounding provinces.
The Department of Health on Monday reported 37,070 new cases—the fourth highest single-day tally since the start of the pandemic. Currently, there are 290,938 active cases.