Philippines' active COVID-19 cases down to 2,688

The Department of Health on Monday reported the lowest COVID-19 active infections this year at 2,688, as it logged 160 new cases.

This brings the nationwide caseload to 3,688,292, according to the Department of Health’s latest data posted on its website.

A total of 3,625,146 people have been counted as recoveries, while the death toll climbed 60,458.

The regions with the most number of new cases in the past two weeks were the National Capital Region with 866 infections, Region 4-A with 259, and Region 3 with 247.

A total of 21,202 individuals were tested as of May 14, with 313 laboratories being able to submit data.

The bed occupancy rate in the country was 16.7%, with 5,180 beds occupied and 25,924 vacant.

According to DOH, the Philippines logged 1,118 new COVID-19 cases from May 9 to May 15, 0.3% lower than the cases reported the previous week.

The health department noted that the daily case average for the week was 160. This was slightly lower compared to the 161 recorded from May 2 to May 8, with 1,124 new COVID-19 infections.

Data also showed that 588 severe and critical COVID-19 cases were currently in hospitals.

Metro Manila and several areas nationwide will remain under Alert Level 1 from May 16 to 31, Malacañang announced over the weekend.

No spikes

At the Laging Handa briefing, OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said there was no monitored sustained increase in COVID-19 cases a week after the elections.

“Wala pa tayong nakikitang increase ng cases doon sa campaign rallies, sorties. February pa tayo nagkaroon ng campaigns, wala pa namang nagkakaroon ng pagtaas ng kaso na talagang sustained,” he said.

David said the increase in COVID-19 cases can be considered significant only when the current number of daily cases double.

Meanwhile, on Sunday over 15,000 individuals in Sulu were inoculated against COVID-19 during the recent special vaccination days initiative organized by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's Ministry of Health (MOH).

Data released by the Bangsamoro Information Office showed that there were 15,328 individuals inoculated from May 11 to 13, equivalent to 60.11% of the 25,000 target.

The provincial government earlier implemented a “No Vaccine Card, No Entry Policy,” as the government sought to boost vaccination rates and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the area.-Mel Matthew Doctor/NB, GMA News