The Department of Health (DOH) insisted this Thursday that the public should not panic despite the rising number of those testing positive for COVID-19.
“We don’t need to panic. Ang tinitignan na natin kasi po ngayon ‘yong healthcare system capacity, if it’s manageable then we are good,” said DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire.
According to Vergeire, COVID-19 cases are averaging 822 cases per day, 79 percent higher than in the past two weeks. It is said that most of them are mild and asymptomatic, and none of them are hospitalized.
“Our health care utilization [rate] across the country is less than 20 percent. All of our regions are registering less than 20 percent, meaning wala po masyadong nao-opsital. Kung mayroon man tayong binabantayan ngayon na ospital, ito po ‘yong mga ospital na tumataas ang percentage ng utilization because somehow most of them kulang ang kama,” said Vergeire.
Hospitals have been notified to prepare COVID-19 beds in case cases increase.
Vergeire explained that cases may be increasing due to the variants of COVID-19, the “mobility” of the population, and the individual’s vulnerability.
As of now, the DOH still has no plans to bring back the mandatory wearing of face masks.
According to public health advocate Dr. Tony Leachon, we should focus on the positivity rate even if the cases of COVID-19 are mild.
Public should not panic over increase in COVID cases: DOH
The positivity rate is the percentage of those who test positive from the total number of those who take the test in an area.
Vergeire admitted that a large part of the population should be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 cases in Manila has been increasing for a month.
It is said that cases are increasing by 10 percent per week, but few are admitted to the hospital.
Because of this, the local government is studying whether to return the mandatory wearing of face masks.
Aside from face masks, Manila is also preparing its isolation facility.
Several universities in the city have already implemented online classes, such as Adamson University and Technological University of the Philippines.
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