Philippines now at low-risk classification for COVID-19 —DOH

The Philippines is now at low-risk classification for COVID-19, the Department of Health (DOH) announced on Monday.

In a media forum, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said all regions in the country are either at moderate-risk and low-risk classification.

She said the country recorded a negative two-week growth at -48%.

Meanwhile, the average daily attack rate (ADAR) decreased to 5.89 per 100,000 from the previous 11.41.

"Nationally, we are at low-risk case classification with a negative two-week growth rate at -48% and a moderate-risk average daily attack rate at 5.89 cases per every 100,000 individuals," Vergeire said.

Data from the DOH showed that the Philippines has a bed utilization rate of 41.15%, a mechanical ventilator utilization rate of 37.65%, and an ICU utilization rate of 53.15%.

The Philippines on Sunday reported 5,279 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the nationwide tally to 2,756,923 and active cases to 60,957.

The latest figures also show 2,654,173 recoveries, which are equivalent to 96.3% of the caseload. Meanwhile, there were 208 additional fatalities to bring the death toll to 41,793 or 1.52%.

NCR, other regions

But amid these impressive numbers, Vergeire said six regions have a high-risk ADAR. These are Cagayan Valley with an ADAR of 18.53, Zamboanga Peninsula (8.02), Cordillera Administrative Region (27.30), MIMAROPA (7.09), Ilocos Region (7.18), and National Capital Region (8.56).

Meanwhile, the ICU utilization rates of Cagayan Valley,Bicol Region, and the Zamboanga Peninsula are at high risk at 88.57%, 71.43%, and 71.23%, respectively.

“Remaining regions have low to moderate beds and/ or ICU utilization,” Vergeire said.

According to Vergeire, NCR recorded an ADAR of 8.56 per 100,000 population from the previous 18.30. It is currently at moderate-risk classification.

NCR has a bed utilization rate of 35.98%, a mechanical ventilator utilization rate of 35.42%, and an ICU utilization rate of 46.37%.

“In NCR, the seven-day moving average shows a decrease as cases in the recent seven days have decreased compared to the previous 7 days by 500 cases or 35%. The 7-day moving average is currently 945,” Vergeire said.

Endemic stage

Meanwhile, Vergeire said the Philippines cannot yet declare that the COVID-19 is in its endemic stage already.

According to the US' Center for Disease Prevention, endemic refers to the constant presence and/or usual prevalence of a disease or infectious agent in a population within a geographic area.

“Ngunit sa ngayon, mukhang hindi pa natin made-deklara na endemic na siya, 'no? Kailangan natin pag-aralan maigi, lalung-lalo na nagmu-mutate itong virus na ito every so often,” Vergeire said.

(As of now, we cannot declare that it is endemic. We need to study it, especially since the virus mutates every so often.)

“So kailangan marami ho tayong factors na kino-consider [We need to consider many factors] before we consider an organism an endemic in the country,” she added.  —KBK, GMA News