NEARLY nine in 10 areas in the Philippines are currently experiencing rise in coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases, with 57 areas being flagged by the Department of Health (DOH) for recording positive growth rates in the last two weeks.
In its latest national Covid-19 situationer report, the DOH said a large majority of the country's provinces and cities saw continued case increases.
"National and all regions observe continued case increases in the recent weeks with 88 percent of provinces, HUCs (highly urbanized cities), and ICCs (independent component cities) across all island groups showing positive growth in cases," said the DOH.
It noted how the average daily reported cases have gone up to 914 for the period of June 25 to July 1, from 599 for June 18 to 24.
"National case trend show continuous increase with seven-day average cases higher by 53 percent from the previous week," said the DOH.
In particular, the health department flagged 57 areas in different parts of the country outside the National Capital Region (NCR) after recording positive one-week and two-week growth rates.
"There were 32 Luzon areas, 14 Visayas areas, and 11 Mindanao areas showing positive growth in cases in the recent one and two weeks," said the DOH.
Flagged in Luzon are Baguio City, Abra, Apayao, Mountain Province, La Union, Dagupan City, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan, Isabela, Lucena City, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Puerto Princesa City, Romblon, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Angeles City, Pampanga, Albay, Naga City, Sorsogon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Masbate.
In Visayas, flagged were Iloilo City, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu City, Mandaue City, Cebu, Lapu-Lapu City, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Tacloban City, and Biliran.
Flagged in Mindanao are Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Davao City, Davao Occidental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Cotabato, Agusan del Sur, and Tawi-Tawi.
In Metro Manila, the DOH said there remains a sharp increase in cases with the average daily cases up to 442 for the period of June 25 to July 1, from 291 for the period of June 18 to June 24.
"NCR cases show continued increase in the recent weeks, currently higher by 52 percent from the previous week," said the DOH.
Despite the increasing number of cases in most parts of the country, the DOH reiterated that the country remains at low risk classification from Covid-19.
This, as the case increases have not translated to rise in other metrics, particularly the average daily attack rates and healthcare utilization rates.
"All regions remain at low risk case classification with average daily attack rates at low risk; while health care utilization rates also remain at low risk in all regions," said the DOH.
Total Covid-19 beds utilization remains at low risk at 19 percent occupancy rate.
Similarly, national ICU utilization remains at low risk at 15 percent utilization rate.
"Severe and critical cases at 10.62 percent or 648 cases of the total Covid-19 admissions," said the DOH. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)