New COVID-19 cases dip to 2,747 from June 26-July 2

Fresh COVID-19 cases recorded during the week of June 26 to July 2 decreased by 20% to 2,747 compared to the previous week, according to Department of Health (DOH) data released on Monday.

Based on the DOH’s latest bulletin, the accumulated cases logged from June 26 to July 2 were fewer compared to the 3,442 cases from June 19 to June 25.

This marked the sixth straight week of decreasing new weekly COVID-19 cases and the third consecutive week when less than 5,000 cases were logged, according to GMA Integrated News Research.

The number of new cases from June 26 to July 2 was also the lowest in 11 weeks.

The daily case average also decreased to 392 from June 19 to June25’s 492.

This was the second straight week when less than 500 average daily cases were reported.

The seven-day testing positivity rate in the National Capital Region also decreased from 6% on June 24 to 4.9% on July 1, according to OCTA Research.

The positivity rate—or the percentage of people who were found positive for COVID-19 among the total number of individuals tested—also decreased below the 5% threshold in Laguna and Rizal.

However, there were two additional verified COVID-19-related deaths belatedly recorded in June 2023.

There were also 32 additional severe and critical cases registered in the covered period.

307 new cases on July 3

Meanwhile, the DOH said 307 fresh COVID-19 infections were reported in the country on Monday, decreasing the active cases to 6,846 — the lowest number of active COVID-19 cases since April 30, 2023.

The total nationwide caseload is now at 4,165,869 while the number of total recoveries rose by 449 to 4,092,539. The death toll currently stands at 66,484.

The highest number of new cases in the last 14 days were reported in Metro Manila with 1,343. It was followed by Central Luzon with 919; Calabarzon with 778; Western Visayas with 479; and Cagayan Valley with 433.

A total of 3,664 individuals were tested for the virus on Sunday, July 2, while 267 testing laboratories submitted their results.

COVID-19 bed occupancy in the country is still at low risk at 16%.

Hospitals, vaccination

In total, 442 severe and critical cases were admitted in hospitals due to COVID-19 as of July 2. This accounted for 10.8% of the total COVID-19 admissions.

There were also 273 intensive care unit (ICU) beds used or 13.7% of the 1,998 beds available. Meanwhile, 3,010 or 17.7% of the 17,026 non-ICU COVID-19 beds were occupied.

As for vaccinations, the DOH said 78.4 million Filipinos were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of March 19. This covered 100.4% of the government’s target population.

At least 7.1 million senior citizens, or 82.16% of the target A2 population have also received their primary vaccine series.

Meanwhile, 23.8 million individuals have received their booster shots. — DVM, GMA Integrated News