DOH: Philippines back to moderate-risk COVID-19 classification

After weeks of being at low risk for COVID-19, the Philippines was once again elevated to the moderate-risk classification of the Department of Health (DOH).

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said an “increase was observed mid-July after a slowdown in cases.”

The Philippines’ two-week case growth rate rose to 1% during July 11 to 24 from -10% during June 27 to July 10. The national average daily attack rate (ADAR) also increased to 4.95 cases per 100,000 population.

The country averaged 6,029 new infections daily from July 22 to 28, higher than the previous week’s average of 5,576 new cases.

Despite this, the utilization rates of hospital and ICU beds remained in the safe zone at 48.96% and 58.64%, respectively.

In Luzon, an upward COVID-19 trend was observed in Regions 1, 2, and 3 while Regions 4B and 5 exhibited a downtrend and the Cordillera and Region 4A showed a plateau.

In the Visayas, a “steep rise” in new infections was seen in Region 7 while Regions 6 and 8 posted a decrease in cases.

In Mindanao, Region 10 exhibited an upward trend while Region 12 showed a plateauing of cases. All other regions in Mindanao showed a decline in cases.

Metro Manila

Meanwhile, 11 cities in Metro Manila continued to record a positive two-week case growth rate. 

Makati, Las Piñas, and Pasay were classified as high-risk areas due to their high ADAR or hospital or ICU utilization rates.

Las Piñas registered the highest ICU utilization rate at 93.10% as of July 28, followed by Makati with 82.05% and Quezon City with 63.64%.

Metro Manila mayors are set to ask the government’s inter-agency COVID-19 task force to tighten restrictions in the capital region amid the threat of the Delta variant. 

Currently, Metro Manila is under general community quarantine with heightened restrictions. — RSJ, GMA News