Malacañang said Tuesday it was “pleased” with a report that included the Philippines among the countries where the new cases of the coronavirus disease were “lower and staying low.”
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque was referring to the New York Times report titled “Coronavirus Map: Tracking the Global Outbreak.”
The Philippines aside, the Southeast Asian countries that were also on the list were Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.
The other categories in the article were countries "where new cases are higher and staying high", "where new cases are higher but going down", "where new cases are lower but going up", "where deaths are increasing".
3,281 new cases
A total of 3,281 confirmed cases were reported Tuesday by the Department of Health, which brought to 241,987 the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
The department also listed 286 patients who recovered from the coronavirus, resulting in a total of 185,178 recoveries. It likewise announced 26 deaths.
Of the 3,281 reported cases, 2,932 (89 percent) occurred within the recent 14 days, or from Aug. 26 to Sept. 8.
Remain cautious, Filipinos urged
While the reported decline in new COVID-19 cases is reason to be optimistic,
Filipinos should still be cautious of the virus, an official leading the country's pandemic response said Tuesday.
Researchers from the University of the Philippines on Sunday said Metro Manila—the coronavirus epicenter—and Southern Tagalog were starting to flatten the pandemic curve, as the virus’ reproduction rate in the two regions was estimated at 0.95, or below the “1” threshold.
"Let us be cautious. Let us not be complacent," COVID-19 policy chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said in a virtual press briefing.
He said the reported declining trend in new virus infections could be attributed to increased public awareness on the needed minimum health standards such as the wearing of face masks.
90-percent success rate
The Department of Health on Tuesday reported a 90-percent success rate in its ability to quickly connect Filipinos needing medical attention under the One Hospital Command Center.
“The high success rate in closing cases is also attributed to the increasing COVID-19 bed capacities in different hospitals and facilities across the country,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.
He says they will continue to work with the hospitals and health facilities to meet the prescribed COVID-19 bed allocation of 30 percent for public beds and 20 percent for private beds as set by Administrative Order 2020-0016.
According to the latest health system capacity report, as of Sept. 6 there was an overall increase in the number of dedicated beds from 20,620 on Sept. 2 to 20,888 on Sept. 6,” Duque said.
Rep. Ramos dies of the virus
Rep. Maria Bernadita Ramos of Sorsogon's second district has died of the Coronavirus Disease 2019, Deputy Majority Leader Xavier Jesus Romualdo announced at the chamber’s plenary hall on Tuesday.
"It is with sadness that we just found out that our dear colleague, Rep. Maria Bernadita 'Ditas' Ramos of the second district of Sorsogon, has passed away," Romualdo said.
Last Sunday, House Secretary-General Jose Luis Montales said the chamber had received a report that Ramos had tested positive for COVID-19.
“She developed symptoms and got tested in the province,” Montales said.
The announcement of Ramos’ passing prompted the House to offer prayers for her, which was led by Rep. Christopher de Venecia of Pangasinan.
‘Don’t be complacent’
Senator Christopher Go on Tuesday reminded the public not to be complacent despite the findings of some experts showing positive signs that the country is on its way to flattening the curve.
“Let us not be complacent, the fight is not yet over. Let us boost the implementation of health and safety protocols to stop the spread of COVID-19,” said Go, head of the Senate committee on health.
He urged the public to continue cooperating with the government, show their compassion to their fellow Filipinos, and remain vigilant against the disease.
The gains of the community quarantine measures in the past months, Go said, should be sustained and not be taken for granted.