NEW cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) remain on the rise nationwide, but the Department of Health (DOH) yesterday said the growth has started to slow down.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire reported the country had an average daily case of 18,292 from August 30 to September 5, which is higher than the 16,513 average cases per day from August 23 to 29.
“A new peak was seen every week since the 2nd week of August. All areas at an uptrend, with Luzon areas showing steep increase, while Visayas areas are at a plateau,” Vergeire said in a virtual press briefing.
However, the health official noted that the cases growth rate nationwide has slowed down to “only” 32 percent increase from August 23 to September 5, as compared to the previous 72 percent increase from August 9 to 22.
“National and some regions show a slowing down in the increase in cases,” said Vergeire.
Vergeire said the classification of the country’s average daily attack rate (ADAR) remains at “high” risk at 15.79 per 100,00 population for the period of August 23 to September 5.
She said 11 regions are clustered under the category, namely the National Capital Region (NCR), Calabarzon, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Central Luzon, Northern Mindanao, Ilocos Region, Davao Region, Caraga, Western Visayas, and Soccsksargen.
Mirroring the scenario on a nationwide scale, Vergeire said all 17 local governments in Metro Manila are at “high” risk classification.
The municipality of Pateros has the highest ADAR with 74.48, while Marikina City has the lowest with 21.54. “NCR continues its upward trend with reported cases increasing by 13 percent versus the previous 7 days,” said Vergeire.
On a more granular level, the DOH said 115 out of the 121 provinces and independent cities are under Alert Levels 3 and 4.
“Majority (95%) of provinces, HUCs, and ICCs remain flagged under Alert Level 3 and 4,” said Vergeire.
Alert Level 4 is raised if more than 70 percent of hospital bed capacity is occupied and the area is under moderate to critical risk for COVID-19.
Vergeire said 16 of the local government units (LGUs) in the NCR are under Alert Level 4, and these are Pateros and the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Marikina, Taguig, Quezon, Makati, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas City, Parañaque, Pasay, Pasig, and Valenzuela.
Also under Alert Level 4 are Abra, Apayao, Baguio City, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Dagupan City, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Cagayan, City of Santiago, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Angeles City, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Lucena City, Quezon, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Masbate, Naga City, and Sorsogon in Luzon.
Also included in the category are Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Iloilo City, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu, Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu City, Siquijor, Ormoc City, and Tacloban City in Visayas; and Zamboanga City, Zamboanga Del Norte, Zamboanga Del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Bukidnon, Cagayan De Oro City, Camiguin, Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Davao City, Davao De Oro, Davao Del Norte, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Cotabato (North Cotabato), General Santos City, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan Del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Butuan City, Surigao Del Norte, Surigao Del Sur, Cotabato City, and Lanao Del Sur in Mindanao.
Meanwhile, under Alert Level 3 are Manila City in Metro Manila; and Aurora, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Puerto Princesa City, Romblon, Albay, and Catanduanes in Luzon; Aklan, Bacolod City, Mandaue City, Negros Oriental, Biliran, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar (Western Samar), and Southern Leyte in Visayas; and City of Isabela, Davao Del Sur, and Maguindanao in Mindanao.
