PH scores lowest in terms of pandemic recovery

THE Philippines scored lowest among 121 countries in Nikkei Asia’s latest coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) recovery index.

In a report issued on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, the Tokyo-based news magazine said as of September 30, the Philippines was at the bottom of the index with a score of 30.5. It cited the low vaccination rate and the limited mobility of people in the country.

The country's ranking deteriorated from 108th in July and 106th in August.

The organization ranks countries based on Covid-19 infection management, vaccination and social mobility amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a televised press conference, Department of Health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the evaluation was conducted when the country was experiencing a surge in Covid-19 cases due to the more transmissible Delta variant.

"Ang Indonesia po nung nangyari sa kanila 'yung pagtaas ng mga kaso, I think, that was at some time in July. Sa ibang bansa naman po nag umpisa nung Hunyo pa lang. Dito po sa ating bansa, September pa tayo ng umpisa talagang nag peak ang ating mga kaso at dito po 'yung time period ng analysis po nitong dalawang survey,” she said.

“Nung ginawa po mineasure ang infection rates natin dito po ‘yung panahon na mataas 'yung kaso sa ating bansa kumpara sa ibang bansa na nakalipas na po 'yung peak of cases nila. Kaya nandoon po talaga sa tugatog o doon sa peak ng mga kaso nung nakuha po 'yung metric,” she added.

Vergeire said the vaccination in the country also slowed down because the government has to impose measures to prevent the further spread of the Delta variant.

However, Vergeire said the number of Covid-19 cases in the country is “declining” although it does not necessarily mean that actual cases are going down.

“We got all the factors, we identified all the factors, and we tried to analyze kung talagang kumpirmado po that the decline of cases is not affected by any other factor at ito po ay totong pagbaba (actual decline),” she said.

“Pangalawa, nakita din po natin na with this decrease in test outputs na meron tayo, ‘yung positivity rate natin bumababa pa rin, that’s second,” she added.

Vergeire said the hospitalization rate has also decreased to 68 percent, but she said the people can't be complacent. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)