THE independent OCTA Research group yesterday said the outlook of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the country continues to improve as the year winds up.
“We have a good outlook for the coming weeks and early next year,” said OCTA fellow Guido David in a televised public briefing yesterday. “This is great news coming into the holidays.”
He cited as proof the decline of the COVID-19 positivity rates in majority of the areas that the group are monitoring.
“We are seeing that the positivity rate in Metro Manila is already going down. Those in several provinces have also started going down. There are only a few of them with increasing positivity rates,” said David.
Data from OCTA shows that 24 out of 37 areas have decreasing positivity rates between December 10 and December 17.
Showing drops in positivity rates are Isabela (39.7% from 40.5%), Nueva Ecija (37.2%), from 49%), Camarines Sur (32.9% from 39.2%), Ilocos Sur (30.6% from 36.9%), Kalinga (26.2% from 57.9%), Aklan (23.8% from 44.1%), Albay (23.3% from 24.6%), Oriental Mindoro (18.2% from 23.1%), La Union (16.7% from 22.2%), Cagayan (15% from 26.9%), National Capital Region (13.9% from 14.4%), and Benguet (13.6% from 20.9%).
Also having improving numbers are Pangasinan (13.3%), Cavite (13.2%), Pampanga (12.5%), Mountain Province (11.3%), Leyte (9.3%), Batangas (8.4%), Ilocos Norte (8.2%), Cebu (6.3%), Bohol (6%), Capiz (5%), South Cotabato (4%), and Davao del Norte (2.8% %).
The World Health Organization has set a threshold of 5 percent for positivity rate for COVID-19.
The dipping positivity rates were reflected in the case bulletin issued by the Department of Health (DOH) yesterday.
The number of new COVID-19 cases reported daily over the past seven days averaged 1,082 cases for the period of December 12 to 18, or a total of 7,572.
“This is 9 percent lower than cases reported from December 5 to 11,” said the DOH. Last week, the department said the country had an average of 1,185 cases daily.
The DOH said there were seven (7) additional severe and critical case during the past week.
On the other hand, there were 186 deaths reported over the past seven days.
The DOH said there are currently 592 severe and critical cases in the country, as of December 18. Of the total severe and critical cases, the report showed that 509 are occupying ICU beds, or 20.4 percent of the 2,501 total nationwide.
On the other hand, there are 4,455 COVID-19 patients occupying COVID-19 beds, or 22.5 percent of the 19,819 total COVID-19 beds allocated nationwide.
UPTREND
But as cases improve in some areas, positivity rates in other areas are still rising.
Among these areas include Zamboanga del Sur (26.1%), Tarlac (23.9%), Rizal (23.8%), Palawan (23.6%), Laguna (19%), Zambales (14.4%), and Bataan (13.8%).
Having climbing positivity rates too are Misamis Oriental (13.6%), Quezon (13.4%), Bulacan (8.4%), Negros Occidental (to 7.9%), Davao del Sur (5.1%), and Iloilo (4.4%).
According to David, the improving positivity rates are likely due to the latest COVID-19 wave caused by the Omicron subvariant BQ.1 which is already ending.
“It is likely that we are seeing the BQ wave ending, although we may still see some increases in areas not yet reached by the BQ subvariant,” David said.
He said the continued use of face masks by the public also will bring down the transmission of the virus.
“There are still several people wearing face masks even though it is already optional. It shows that we have already learned how to be responsible for ourselves,” said David.
TRAVEL INFO
The Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) yesterday warned incoming travelers against providing false information for their electronic travel (eTravel) data to deceive airport authorities.
In a televised public briefing, BOQ Deputy Director Dr. Roberto Salvador Jr. said: “We are still catching some travelers giving false vaccination information, fake laboratory results, and fraudulent QR codes. So, we are warning everybody, the BOQ will be able to check them,” said Salvador.
“This eTravel system is done with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) so we have a good system to catch those attempting to give false information,” he also said.
The eTravel is a mandatory requirement for all arriving passengers in the Philippines.
In accomplishing the eTravel, one needs to give their personal information, travel details, and health declaration.
Aside from giving false information, the BOQ is also warning the public against unscrupulous individuals offering to help acquire their eTravels in exchange for a fee.
Salvador stressed eTravels can be acquired free online by visiting etravel.gov.ph or scanning the QR code.
“Up until now, there are still travelers that are being victimized by scammers when applying for their eTravel,” Salvador said, adding: “Remember that if you are being asked to pay for the eTravel, it is not legitimate. The eTravel is available for free.”
