DOH warns of uptick in Covid-19 cases in NCR amid heightened holiday mobility

WHILE the country’s case classification remains at minimal risk, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Monday warned that Covid-19 infections may start to increase as an uptick in cases was observed in the National Capital Region (NCR).

“Meron tayong nakikita na uptick ng kaso pero [We have seen an uptick in cases but] it’s not significant enough yet but it is an alarm. It is a warning for all of us that cases may start to increase,” Vergeire said in an online media forum on Monday.

Vergeire played down the possibility that the Omicron variant may be the cause of the uptick in cases, but attributed it to the increase in people’s mobility during holiday season.

“Meron tayong natatala na Omicron galing sa labas o incoming international travelers. Nai-isolate naman po natin sila [We were able to detect Omicron cases but from outside of the country or international travelers. We isolated them] .... So hopefully it is not variant-driven,” Vergeire said as she reminded the public of the importance of strictly observing health protocols.

Vergeire also stressed the importance not only in complying with the minimum public health standards but of vaccination to control the spread of the virus and prevent the increase in the number of cases.

The average daily reported cases in NCR was higher by 49 percent (December 20 to December 26 with 115 cases), December 13 to December 19: 77 (lower by 13 percent), December 6 to December 12: 88 (lower by 20 percent), and November 29 to Decembe 5: 110.

Positivity rate

WHILE nationally, average cases remain lower in the recent week and case classification still at minimal risk, Vergeire, however, said that increases in case and positivity rate in the recent week were observed in NCR and 14 of 17 of its areas.

“Nationally, weekly positivity rate is at 1.30 percent; Region 7 with lowest rate followed by CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region), BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) and Region 8. Region 9 with the highest positivity rate,” Vergeire said.

All island groups and NCR Plus areas maintain a flat case trend.

Meanwhile, national and all regions at minimal risk case classification with negative twoweek growth rate (TWGR); NCR and Region 9, however, showed positive one-week growth rate (OWGR).

Eight areas, including five in NCR, were flagged after recording positive OWGR and TWGR. These are: San Juan, Las Piñas, Apayao, Manila, Makati, Davao de Oro, Parañaque, and Davao del Sur.

Covid beds, ICU utilization

VERGEIRE said all areas have both total Covid-19 beds and ICU utilization at low risk

As of December 26, nationally, there are 51 cases pending ICU admissions, while 498 cases pending ward/isolation bed admissions.

“Vacant beds should be able to cover the pending admissions within their respective regions,” she said.

National total Covid-19 beds capacity at low risk at 17 percent utilization.

Compared to July, current dedicated beds are higher by 112 (0.3 percent) and admissions are lower by 10,244 (64 percent).

Veregire said that percentage of severe and critical cases among confirmed Covid-19 admissions have been on a slow decline since October. However, signs of plateauing were seen in the recent week.

Of the 758 total admissions as of December 25, 133 (18 percent) are severe cases and 77 (10 percent) are critical cases.

In NCR, total beds utilization has been decreasing since midseptember, showed a slight uptick in the recent week.

Compared to start of July, total beds increased by 99 (1 percent) while occupied beds are lower by 1,707 (51 percent).

ICU bed utilization is at low risk in NCR.

Compared to start of July, total ICU beds increased by 117 (10 percent) while occupied ICU beds lower by 192 (43 percent).

Deaths

Vergeire said deaths peaked at the end of September and show a continuous decline.

Partial deaths in December at 7 deaths per day; NCR with highest number of deaths for December, followed by Regions 1, 3, 2, and 4A.

318 Covid cases on Monday

ON Monday, the Department of Health logged 318 additional Covid-19 cases, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 2,838,792.

There were also 255 recoveries and 11 deaths.

Of the total number of cases, 0.3 percent (9,579) are active, 97.9 percent (2,778,002) have recovered, and 1.80 percent (51,211) have died.

Two laboratories were not operational on December 25, 2021, while 26 laboratories were not able to submit their data to the Covid-19 Document Repository System.

Of these 26 laboratories, 12 confirmed that they were closed and non-operating on December 25, 2021.

Based on data in the last 14 days, the 28 non-reporting labs contribute, on average, 9.5 percent of samples tested and 6.4 percent of positive individuals.