DOH flags upward COVID-19 trend in Visayas, Mindanao; NCR Plus sees decline

The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday flagged an upward COVID-19 trend in Visayas and Mindanao as it noted a “marked decline” in infections and hospital occupancy in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.

DOH Epidemiology Bureau director Dr. Alethea De Guzman said 10 regions posted a positive case growth rate and increased average daily attack rate (ADAR) in the past two weeks: Regions 4B, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Caraga, and the Bangsamoro.

De Guzman said the rise in cases in these areas was caused in part by relaxed adherence to health protocols and the spread of new coronavirus variants

“These are areas na, siyempre, mas loose ang restrictions and I think there’s always that paalala to our community that as we loosen restrictions, hindi po dapat kalimutan ‘yung nagma-mask, nag-pi-physical distancing tayo,” she said in a forum.

(These are areas under looser restrictions and I think there’s always that reminder to our community that as we loosen restrictions, we must not forget wearing face mask and observing physical distancing.)

Despite the case increase, De Guzman said there was no need to escalate the lockdown classification in the 10 regions since their healthcare systems can still cope.

DOH data showed that the occupancy rate of intensive care unit (ICU), isolation, and ward beds in Region 9 has breached the high risk category at 75%. In the Bangsamoro, 83% of ICU beds were utilized as of May 15. All other areas were in the safe zone.

De Guzman urged local governments to strengthen border screening for COVID-19 symptoms and exposure to “cut the transmission that we’re seeing now.”

Meanwhile, she reported that NCR Plus (Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal) continues to see a downward trend in COVID-19 cases after being placed under a stricter quarantine classification.

Metro Manila was classified as moderate risk even after consistently registering a negative case growth rate because its ADAR remained high at 13.44 cases per 100,000 population.

Nationwide, the average number of daily new COVID-19 cases dropped to 5,886 during May 11 to 17 from a peak of 10,406 during April 6 to 12.

The Philippines has tallied 1,149,925 infections with 1,076,428 recoveries and 19,262 deaths as of Monday afternoon.—AOL, GMA News