ALL regions nationwide are now classified as minimal risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), a Department of Health (DOH) official said on Tuesday, December 14, 2021.
In a forum, DOH epidemiology bureau director Alethea de Guzman said this is based on the recorded negative two-week growth rate and an average daily attack rate (Adar) of less than 1 per 100,000 individuals over the past week, except in Bicol and Soccsksargen.
Bicol and Soccsksargen lodged five and three percent growth rate, respectively, in the recent week.
De Guzman said along with Bicol and Soccsksargen, they are also monitoring the cities of Lapu-Lapu and General Santos after it both recorded a positive growth rate.
Lapu-Lapu City recorded a positive one-week growth rate of 10.53 percent and a positive two-week growth rate of 2.56 percent, while General Santos recorded a one-week growth rate of 79.17 percent and a two-week growth rate of 1.52 percent.
On December 6, the DOH said the country has already achieved minimal risk classification with the majority of the regions under low-risk.
Covid-19 cases in the country is on a downtrend over the past two weeks.
As of December 13, there were 11,083 active Covid-19 cases in the country.
The Philippines has so far recorded a total of 2,836,803 Covid-19 cases with 50,341 deaths.
De Guzman said active cases may further decline to 1,766 by January 31 if the public will continue to observe the minimum health protocols, but it may also increase to up to 9,388 if the people will be complacent and violate safety protocols.
This is based on projections made from December 11 with 11,373 active infections.
“Napakahalaga na we don’t let our guards down,” said De Guzman. (SunStar Philippines)