Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 23) – The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday identified 13 areas in the country where a rise in new COVID-19 cases has been observed.
In a media briefing, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje listed these areas as Marinduque, Davao City, Butuan City, Surigao del Sur, Ilocos Norte, Kalinga, Batanes, Quirino, Catanduanes, Olongapo City, Tarlac City, Angeles City, and Eastern Samar.
She said the increase in infections is currently not significant, but stressed close monitoring should still be done.
According to the health official, they have not yet seen a common factor among these localities which may have led to the growth in cases.
However, among the possible reasons they are looking at are the influx of tourists and of people going home to their provinces, as well as the conduct of more election campaign activities.
Earlier, the DOH warned the country may see another spike in cases in the middle of May if adherence to minimum public health standards wanes.
Citing the projections of disease surveillance tool FASSSTER, the department said active cases may reach 332,000 by then, should there be a 30% decline in compliance with health protocols, such as proper wearing of face masks and social distancing.
Based on DOH data, active coronavirus cases in the country stood at 15,782 as of April 22. This is out of 3.68 million people infected since the start of the pandemic.
Some 3.608 million have already recovered, while at least 60,118 died, it also said.
