Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 4) – The increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country is “insignificant,” the Department of Health said Tuesday, noting that new infections are manageable, mild, and without symptoms.
“Itong pagtaas ng kaso, nakikita natin sa iba’t-ibang lugar dito sa ating bansa but it remains to be insignificant. It only becomes significant kapag nakita natin na alongside with the increase in number of cases ay nakikita natin na tumataas din ang mga admission rate natin sa mga ospital,” DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a press briefing.
[Translation: We see this increase in cases in different places in our country, but it remains to be insignificant. It only becomes significant when we see that alongside the increase in number of cases we see that our admission rates in hospitals are also increasing.]
As of April 3, the DOH said there is an average of 268 daily cases of COVID-19, a 29% increase from last week. It also said the Philippines is at low risk classification at 16% utilization of COVID-19 hospital beds.
According to OCTA fellow Guido David on Monday, there was an increase in the seven-day positivity rate in Metro Manila and 14 other provinces.
READ: OCTA sees higher positivity rates in 14 provinces; NCR now at 4.4%
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2023/4/3/OCTA-higher-positivity-rates-14-provinces.html
Despite the higher number, Vergeire said COVID-19 cases are still below the DOH threshold to impose stricter restrictions.
\”We can see that the hospitalization is still manageable,\” she said. “Hindi natin kailangang mangamba. Kailangan lang alam natin kung paano proteksyunan ang ating sarili. Alam natin na ang virus is here to stay and the increase in cases is expected.”
[Translation: We should not fear. We just need to know how to protect ourselves. We know that the virus is here to stay and the increase in cases is expected.]
As of April 4, the health department said 78.4 million Filipinos took the COVID-19 vaccine, 23.8 million received their first booster shot and 4.4 million already had their second booster shot.
The latest tally showed 9,463 active COVID-19 cases in the country.
