4 regions, cities monitored for increase in COVID-19 cases

MANILA, Philippines — While all regions in the country are now at minimal risk for COVID-19, the Department of Health (DOH) is monitoring two regions and two cities, which recorded an increase in infections.

DOH Epidemiology Bureau director Alethea de Guzman said Bicol and Soccsksargen recorded a slight increase in new cases.

“Babantayan natin kung ito ay magtutuloy-tuloy at mag-translate into a positive two-week growth rate. Sa ngayon in Region 12 and 5, the two-week growth remains negative,” De Guzman told a virtual press briefing yesterday.

She said the DOH is also monitoring Lapu-Lapu and General Santos cities after they logged minimal increases in the two-week growth rate.

De Guzman said the increase in cases was “very small. “

She said the DOH is monitoring the two cities to determine whether the growth rate will continue.

The Cordillera Autonomous Region and Zamboanga peninsula, which were previously classified as low risk, are now at minimal risk.

This means a negative two-week growth rate and average daily attack rate of fewer than one per 100,000 people.

Health system capacity was also at low risk in all areas as critical cases among confirmed admissions are continuously declining.

De Guzman said severe cases have sharply dropped since the end of October.

Based on the projection of the DOH, active cases would drop to 1,766 by Jan. 31 if minimum public health standards are observed. If not, cases are seen to rise up to 9,388.

Even with increased mobility, De Guzman said active cases in Metro Manila are still projected to drop to a low of 148 or a high of 325 by Jan. 31.

She said case fatality rate remains “very low” while average daily cases dropped by 26 percent to 380 from 516 last week.

De Guzman said the DOH recorded 970 COVID-related deaths last month, five times lower compared to 4,594 in October.

“Cases per day are among our lowest after we had several peaks that started in August 2020, April 2021 and September 2021,” De Guzman said.

Zero new cases in Baguio, Benguet towns

Meanwhile, Baguio City logged zero new COVID-19 cases and had only 20 active cases on Monday.

In Kabayan town in Benguet, no active case was recorded on Monday.

Bokod and Bakun, also in Benguet, had no active case as of Sunday, according to the provincial health office.

Health and local government officials urged the public to have themselves vaccinated to maintain the COVID-free status.

The Cordillera Regional Vaccination Operations Center said it is ready for the second round of National Vaccination Days.

Up to 68,247 members of the eligible population, including minors, are being targeted for vaccination.

Benguet is eyeing the vaccination of 31,161 residents; Ifugao,15,261; Kalinga, 9,909; Mountain Province, 6,792;  Apayao, 3,306, and Abra, 1,818.

The Baguio city government said it would participate in the National Vaccination Days even though it has achieved the 70 percent target. – Artemio Dumlao