CORONAVIRUS disease (Covid-19) cases in the Philippines continued to increase with over 1,700 new infections recorded on a daily basis.
Based on the latest Covid-19 national situationer, the Department of Health (DOH) said the average daily cases for July 8 to 14 was at 1,751, which is higher by 40 percent than the 1,247 daily cases recorded on July 1 to 7.
"National case trend shows continuous increase (and is) now averaging more than 1,700 cases per day in the recent week," said the DOH.
"Most areas show sharp increase in Covid-19 cases," it added.
This has resulted in a national weekly positivity rate increasing to 10.6 percent.
Ten of the 17 regions in the country also registered positivity rates of above the five percent threshold set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
These regions are the National Capital Region (NCR), Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Northern Mindanao.
The NCR, in particular, has a weekly positivity rate of 13.0 percent.
This corresponds to the continued increase in the average daily reported cases in Metro Manila, which were at 748 for July 8 to 14. This is 29 percent higher than the 582 cases recorded on July 1 to 7.
"The NCR is showing the steepest increase and is now showing almost at 750 cases per day," said the DOH.
Despite the rising numbers, the DOH said the entire Philippines remains at "low risk" classification.
"National and most regions continue to show increases in cases but remain at low risk case classification with average daily attack rates at low risk," said the DOH.
"The healthcare utilization rates are also at low risk in all regions," it added.
DOH data show that the national average daily attack rate is currently at 1.36 per 100,000 population.
The Covid-19 bed and ICU bed utilization rates stand at 23.48 percent and 17.44 percent, respectively. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)