Philippines posts lowest number of active COVID-19 cases since January

The Philippines registered on Friday its lowest number of active COVID-19 cases since January.

Data released by the Department of Health showed that the country now has 30,527 active infections, the lowest since January 4, when it had 29,809 active cases. 

A total of 290 new cases were reported on Friday, taking the nationwide caseload to 3,680,802.

The top regions with cases in the last two weeks were the National Capital Region with 1,426, followed by Region 4A with 512 and Region 3 with 375.

The number of recoveries increased to 3,590,615 while the death toll reached 59,660.

The hospital bed occupancy in the country is at 16.1%, with 5,273 occupied and 27,430 vacant.

A total of 19,418 individuals were tested, while 314 testing laboratories submitted data as of April 7.

WHO warning

The World Health Organization in the Philippines on Thursday warned of COVID-19 cases again amid mass gatherings such as those on the campaign trail ahead of Eleksyon 2022.  

The OCTA Research group said the number of new COVID-19 cases a day in the country might hit 4,000 by Eleksyon 2022 on May 9 under a scenario of waning immunity and the entry of new variants.

According to Lei Alviz's report on "24 Oras" on Thursday, the number of new COVID-19 cases might reach 1,000 in Metro Manila during the same period.

Based on the country’s experience, the OCTA said COVID-19 surge occurred every three months due to the new variants in the country.

“May nakita tayong uptick in some regions sa Pilipinas especially siguro yung medyo mababa yung vaccine coverage that is why important patuloy natin ang vaccine coverage at saka yung vaccinations and pagpapaboosters,” OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David said.

(We have seen an uptick in some regions in the Philippines, especially those in low vaccine coverage that is why it is important that we continue the vaccine coverage and then the vaccinations and inoculation of booster shots.) —VBL/NB, GMA News