Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 8) — The country’s “positivity rate” or the number of positive cases over total individuals tested, has dropped by seven percent compared to last month, another indication that the COVID-19 curve is flattening, the Department of Health said Friday.
The agency said as of May 6, the rate is at 10 percent after 13,405 tested positive out of 131,786 individuals. The rate is much lower than on April 6 when it was at 16 to17 percent with 4,144 positive results over 24,755 individuals who took the coronavirus test.
“Ang pagbaba ng ating positivity rate mula 17 percent to 10 percent ay isa sa naging basehan para masabi na nagfa-flatten na ang curve,” said Health Spokesperson Ma. Rosario Vergeire during the DOH daily online briefing.
This development further supports that the country’s COVID-19 numbers are improving, the DOH said, but added that the public should remain vigilant until a vaccine is available.
“Kung tayo ay magiging komportable or makakampante, na sa kung ano ang ating nagawa …ang tanong ay hindi kung magkakaroon ba muli ng biglaang pagtaas ng kaso, ang tanong po ay kailan ito mangyayari,” said Vergeire.
[Translation: If we will become comfortable or complacent in what we are doing…the question is not whether the number of cases will jump or not but when this will happen.]
The Philippines’ official case tally is at 10,463 with 696 deaths and 1,734 recoveries as of Friday. Vergeire reminded that the number of positive results from tests is expected to be larger than the official count since it includes cases for validation.
Authorities also reported that COVID-19 testing capacity has risen to 12,000 tests per day, covering more suspected and vulnerable cases. Government aims to expand to 30,000 tests daily by month’s end.
The Health department and an expert have been reporting that the country is on the right track to addressing the pandemic, citing slow doubling time or the numbers of days it takes for cases to double.
In Metro Manila and surrounding provinces which record the most number of infections at around 70%, case doubling time improved by two days, said public health specialist Dr. John Wong. He also noted a slowdown in mortality rate, with the deaths doubling in five to six days, previously from four days.
