PH: Increase of National Cases in the Recent Week

Philippines is now back to ‘moderate risk’ after the increase of COVID-19 cases—DOH.

It’s been almost a month after the Department of health (DOH) has declared that the Philippines is now “low risk” for COVID-19—The World Health Organization had asked the DOH earlier in July to be careful in tagging Philippines as “low risk” for the virus, as giving the public the wrong messaging could result in “lower compliance” to minimum public health standards

On Thursday, July 29, it was said that the Philippines is now classified back to “moderate risk” due to an increase in infections being reported.

image source: Rappler.com (Graph from DOH)

“We’re now seeing increase in cases this mid-July…. National cases saw an increase in the recent week,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told reporters.

According to the health spokesperson, the average cases from July 22 to 28 is 6,029, higher than the 5,576 average from the previous week.

image source: rappler.com

“Nationally, our two-week growth rate exhibited an increase and is now again positive at 1% versus last week’s -10%,” Vergeire added.

As of Wednesday, July 28, the Philippines has 1,566,667 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 27,401 deaths and 1,484,714 recoveries. Of the total, 54,552 are active cases or currently sick.

What to do to keep yourself and others safe from COVID-19

• ·        Maintain at least a 1-metre distance between yourself and others to reduce your risk of infection when they cough, sneeze or speak. Maintain an even greater distance between yourself and others when indoors. The further away, the better.
• ·        Make wearing a mask a normal part of being around other people. The appropriate use, storage and cleaning or disposal are essential to make masks as effective as possible.

image source: WHO