MANILA – The OCTA Research Group on Sunday stated that the Philippines remained at “very low risk” classification for Covid-19 while countries in East Asia are experiencing a surge in new cases.
OCTA Research Group Fellow Dr. Guido David said that as of March 18, the country’s average daily attack rate (ADAR) is 0.47.
The growth rate is negative 22 percent, and the seven-day average of new cases per 100,000 individuals is at 527.
Also “very low risk” for Covid-19 are Timor-Leste, Taiwan, Cambodia, and China.
Their ADARs range from 0.13 to 0.86 while their seven-day average of new cases range from 2 to 1,885.
Classified as severe based on their ADAR are South Korea and Vietnam have high ADAR of 788.15 and 281.52, respectively, while their growth rates are at 42 percent and 38 percent, respectively.
Brunei, also “severe”, has an ADAR of 482.60 but growth rate (new cases for the week compared to the previous week) is at minus 43 percent.
China has a 362 percent growth rate, while Laos is at 185 percent, despite the fact that their ADARs are 0.13 and 9.83, respectively, and they are still classified as “very low” and “moderate”, respectively.
South Korea had recorded 404,666 new cases for the previous week, while Vietnam had 274,025.
Keeping it down
According to the most recent Department of Health data, there were 4,131 new Covid-19 infections from March 7 to 13 while intensive care unit bed utilization is at a mere 19.6 percent as of March 14.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) stated that it will continue to enforce minimum health protocols and reminded tourists to prioritize their safety.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said vacationers should expect the presence of cops, help desks, and assistance posts in areas of convergence like beaches and churches during the Holy Week.
“Don’t forget to always wear face masks and practice social distancing wherever you go,” she said in a radio interview on Sunday.
The PNP will deploy approximately 17,000 cops, with approximately 5,000 patrolling on foot and on bike in more congested areas such as Boracay and passenger terminals.
According to Fajardo, more than 42,000 force multipliers and volunteers will be assisting them.
“Inaatasan na rin ang mga field commanders na makipag-ugnayan sa mga local chief executives po natin lalong lalo na dito sa ating mga local tourism offices para po masiguro na magiging ligtas ang ating mga turista, both local and foreign. Aasahan din natin ang pagdagsa ng ating mga turista lalong lalo na ngayon na halos wala ng restriction, kung meron man ay very minimal na ang restriction pagdating sa travel and movement (Field commanders are also instructed to coordinate with local chief executives, especially in the local tourism offices, to ensure that our tourists will be safe, both local and foreign. We will also expect the influx of our tourists especially now that there are almost no restrictions. If there are any, the restrictions are very minimal when it comes to travel and movement),” she said.
