PH stays ‘low-risk’ for COVID despite daily increases in infections
Metro Manila and several other areas will remain under Alert Level 1 from August 1 to 15, the Department of Health said Saturday.
This as the DOH said the country remained under “low risk” classification for COVID-19 despite increases in the number of new cases amid the presence of Omicron subvariants and waning immunity.
On Saturday, the country logged 3,996 new cases, bringing the total active infections to 33,509.
The new areas that were placed under Alert Level 1 are as follows: Barbaza, Antique; Bato, Leyte; Tabontabon, Leyte; Payao, Zamboanga Sibugay; Braulio E. Dujali, Davao Del Norte; Maitum, Sarangani; Pilar, Surigao Del Norte; Calanogas, Lanao del Sur; Marogong, Lanao del Sur; and Tagoloan II, Lanao del Sur.
The DOH said these areas maintained their case classification and total bed utilization rates at “low risk” and have reached or neared the vaccination thresholds for the target population and target A2 (senior citizens) priority group.
Apart from Metro Manila, the following remain under Alert Level 1: Abra, Apayao, Baguio City Kalinga, Mountain Province, Dagupan City, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Batanes, Cagayan, Santiago City, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Angeles City, Aurora, Bataan Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Lucena City, Rizal, Marinduque, Puerto Princesa City, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Naga City, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Aklan, Bacolod City, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo Province, Iloilo City, Cebu City, Siquijor, Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Ormoc City, Southern Leyte, Tacloban City, Zamboanga City, Cagayan de Oro City, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Iligan City, Camiguin, Davao City, Davao Oriental, South Cotabato, General Santos City, Surigao del Sur, Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte, Agusan Del Sur, and Cotabato City.
The rest of the Philippines is under Alert Level 2.
“Our continued compliance with the minimum public health standards keeps us safe—wearing the best-fitting mask, isolating when sick, doubling up protection through vaccines and boosters, and ensuring good airflow,” said DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire.
In a separate statement, the DOH said the country logged an average daily attack rate (ADAR) of 2.52 per 100,000 population as of July 28.
“Even with the observed increase in cases, it is more important that our bed and ICU (intensive care unit) utilization rates stay low—meaning our hospitals stay open and not overwhelmed,” the Health department said.
“Nationwide—as of July 28, 2022—we are still at low risk case classification with an average daily attack rate of 2.52 cases per 100,000 population and a bed and ICU utilization rate of less than 29% and 24% respectively,” it added.
Meanwhile, Filipinos can now use their COVID-19 vaccine certificates to confirm their vaccination status when entering any of the European Union member states, the EU Delegation in Manila announced Saturday.
“The Philippines is now connected to the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC). This means that, as a result of the equivalence decision, the EU recognizes the Philippines’ COVID-19 vaccination certificates and, at the same time, the Philippines accept to recognize EUDCC certificates according to its own legal order,” it said in a statement.
“The European Union regards this as an important milestone in ensuring expedite and safe travel and people’s mobility,” said European Union Chargé d’Affaires Ana Isabel Sánchez Ruiz.
The Philippines is the sixth country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to be recognized under the EU Digital COVID Certificate system.
Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam had earlier been included in EUDCC, according to the delegation.
