DOH sees rise in COVID-19 cases in 8 Metro Manila cities

The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday noted an uptick in COVID-19 infections in eight Metro Manila cities even though the capital region logged a negative case growth rate in the past two weeks.

DOH Epidemiology Bureau Director Alethea De Guzman said an increase in COVID-19 cases was observed in Valenzuela, Pasay, Malabon, Pasig, Makati, Navotas, Las Piñas, and Manila.

“Hindi na ito kasing laki no’ng pagtaas noong nakaraang dalawang linggo subalit nakikita pa rin natin na tumataas ang kaso,” she said in a virtual briefing.

“Ano ba ‘yung dahilan ng pagtaas? Ito ay dulot pa rin no’ng nakita natin na increased mobility, 'yung pag-attend ng mga gatherings, pagkakaroon ng increased crowding na kung saan nandoon ang mga tao nitong nakaraang holiday celebrations natin.”

A total of 226,513 cases have been registered in Metro Manila as of February 13.

The capital region logged a case growth rate of -3% in the past two weeks as compared to the previous three to four weeks.

Metro Manila’s average daily attack rate (ADAR) from January 31 to February 13 was also at 2.71 per 100,000 population, higher than the national ADAR of 1.56 per 100,000 people during the same period.

Increase in other regions

The DOH also saw cases increase in Regions 7, 10, and Caraga.

De Guzman said all areas in Region 7 showed an uptrend in infections, with a “steep” rise in Cebu province and Bohol as well as in the cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, and Mandaue.

In Caraga, all areas except Agusan del Sur showed a “continuous” case increase. Agusan del Norte’s healthcare utilization rate was also in the high-risk category.

“It’s a priority now for the region and the province to ensure that they have additional dedicated beds para hindi ma-push to even higher or to critical risk ang kanilang healthcare utilization rate,” De Guzman said.

In Region 10, Bukidnon has been seeing a “sharp increase” in infections since January.

An uptick was also logged in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan City, and Misamis Oriental.

Despite the case increase in some areas, the DOH said the healthcare utilization rate of all regions remained in the low-risk category

Mortality declines

Mortality, meanwhile, has continued to decline.

The average number of deaths per day fell to six during February 1 to 15 from 18 in January.

In the past two weeks, the number of deaths was highest in Regions 1, 4A, and Metro Manila.

“Hindi tayo nakakakita ng pagtaas sa average deaths per day… We really hope na ma-maintain natin na kaunti na lang ‘yung occurrence ng deaths natin in the coming weeks,” De Guzman said.

The Philippines has 550,860 infections with 511,755 recoveries and 11,517 deaths as of Monday afternoon.—AOL, GMA News