Philippines report ‘steady decline’ in COVID-19 cases: Duque

The Philippines has seen continuous improvement in global ranking with the steady decline in the number of local coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, the health chief said Tuesday.

Image/CDC

Reporting to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the Philippines now ranks 53rd in the world in terms of COVID-19 active cases and fifth in Southeast Asia.

Last November 2, the Philippines was at the 40th spot globally and 4th in ASEAN.

“So dito mas maganda — mas mababa ‘yung ranking, mas maganda ang isinasalamin nito na atin pong tugon sa pandemya,” Secretary Duque said.

In terms of COVID-19 cases per million population, the Philippines is at No. 135 in the world ranking and fifth in Southeast Asia. Last week, the country ranked 134th globally and fifth place in the ASEAN.

In COVID-19 deaths per million population, the country is No. 122 in the world and third in the ASEAN. It ranked 106th in the world in terms of case fatality rate and fifth in ASEAN. Previously, it was at 94th place globally and fifth in ASEAN.

Duque said the country was also able to maintain low case fatality rate (CFR) compared to the global rate of 2.06 percent.

“So muli, tayo ay patuloy na nakakapagpabuti ng ating lagay base sa mga datos na ito at kumpara sa peak at tayo ay walang sawang magbibigay ng pagtangi sa ating mga healthcare workers at iba pang frontliners na patuloy na nakikibaka sa araw-araw at tumutulong sa laban kontra COVID,” he said.

As of November 9, only Cagayan Valley Region and Cordillera Administrative Region remain in the moderate risk classification and also have high-risk average daily attack rate (ADAR).

The whole country and the remaining regions are in the low and minimal risk classification with a negative two-week growth rate (TWGR) and declining ADAR, according to Duque.

He pointed out that decline in case trends is an indication of the efficient implementation of active case finding, quick isolation and quarantine of close contacts, as well as widened vaccination coverage especially of vulnerable groups at the local level.

“Isa itong malaking tagumpay. Kaya naman marapat na bigyang-pugay natin ang mga contact tracers, ang epidemiology and surveillance unit staff, ang atin pong mga vaccinators, at iba pang health workers, pati ang mga lokal na pamahalaan na patuloy na ginagalingan ang kanilang COVID-19 response,” he added.

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