Even after the multiple rallies and events that in the past months especially after the recently concluded May 9 elections, the OCTA Research group mentioned that there has been no sustained increase in the number of active cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country.
OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David, during the Laging Handa public forum, said recent increases in cases would not lead to a hike in cases as high as the Omicron situation in January this year.
The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday said 1,118 new COVID cases were recorded throughout the country during the May 9 to 15 period, which are the dates of the presidential election, as well as the canvassing.
“Ang average na bilang ng bagong kaso kada araw ngayong linggo ay nasa 160, mas mababa ng 0.3 percent kung ikukumpara sa mga kaso noong May 2 hanggang 8 (The average number of cases per day this week is 160, which is 0.3 percent lower compred to the number of cases from May 2 to 8),” the DOH added. Of the new cases, 14 are classified as severe and critical.
The DOH also recorded 16 new deaths, of which 10 took place from May 2 to 15.
Infectious disease expert Dr. Edsel Salvana also said that since the rise in cases is minimal, there is no need to implement stricter mobility restrictions in any part of the country.
David said it is best to wait for at least two more weeks to be certain that there is no clustering of cases due to the elections.
Salavaña echoed David’s observation, adding that the high vaccination rate in the country has helped in managing the cases.
With additional reports: Malaya Business Insight, Jocelyn Montemayor
Image Sources: manilatimes.net, static.dw.com, mb.com.ph
