The country is “not yet out of the woods” despite being classified as a low-risk area for COVID-19, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said as he appealed to Filipinos not to be complacent amid the “fragile” situation due to the pandemic.
“If you look at the overall risk classification, the Philippines is considered as a low-risk area. However, we should also consider that there are areas with spikes or surges,” Duque said.
DOH Epidemiology Bureau director Dr. Alethea De Guzman said the nationwide negative two-week growth rate of -9 percent and lower average daily attack rate of 5.42 prompted the low-risk classification.
Remain vigilant
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the country must remain vigilant as some regions continue to post an increasing number of COVID-19 cases.
While the number of infections was slightly slowing down in Metro Manila, Vergeire warned cases outside can affect the region because its borders are “very porous.”
She said the department is closely monitoring the situation in Visayas and in Regions 11, 12, Caraga, and BARMM in Mindanao.
The DOH is also observing some parts of Luzon, particularly Lucena City in Calabarzon, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and the Cordillera Administrative Region where there is a high health care utilization rate.
5,908 new cases
The Philippines logged on Saturday 5,908 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 1,430,419, as five laboratories were not able to submit their data on time.
The DOH also reported 90 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 25,063. Some 7,698 persons have recently recovered, bringing the total recoveries to 1,351,691.
Stiffer punishment
Meanwhile, Duque said there should be stiffer punishment for those illegally selling COVID-19 vaccines as they compromise the government’s inoculation program.
“They should be punished to teach them a lesson they will not forget. Let’s not disrespect the program that will give protection to every Filipino,” he said.
The National Bureau of Investigation on Thursday arrested three of four suspects in the illegal sale of COVID-19 jabs in Quezon City. The suspects face charges for violation of the Food and Drug Administration Act.