DOH: Decline in cases slowing down

EVEN as the entire country remains at minimal risk classification, the Department of Health (DOH) on Monday, December 27, 2021, said the decline in coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in the Philippines has slowed down.

In a virtual press briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire noted how the average daily cases during the period of December 20 to 26 (307) decreased by only five cases or two percent compared to the period of December 13 to 19 (312).

“Though average cases have further decreased in the recent week, it was only by five cases or by 2 percent,” Vergeire said.

“Note also that the decline in the two week growth rate (TWGR) in the recent one to two weeks was slower at negative 36 percent versus the negative 59 percent reported three to four weeks ago,” she furthered.

Vergeire also noted how the National Capital Region (NCR) has shown a positive one-week growth rate of 49 percent.

This as the average cases per day for December 20 to 26 stood at 115, as compared to the 77 cases per day for December 13 to 19.

“In the National Capital Region, the daily cases in the recent week showed an increase of 38 or 49 percent cases from the previous week,” said Vergeire.

“In NCR, majority of the areas show positive one week growth rates with the Cities of San Juan, Las Pinas, Manila, and Makati now at moderate risk case classification,” she added.

While cases have started to see an uptick, the health official noted how this has yet to manifest in the national healthcare utilization rates.

“National total Covid-19 beds capacity at low risk at 17-percent utilization,” Vergeire said.

As for NCR health facilities, she said they have already observed a slight rise in bed occupancy.

“Total beds utilization has been decreasing since mid-September and showed a slight uptick in the recent week,” Vergeire said.