THE Department of Health (DOH) said the number of COVID-19 infections in the country may reach up to 19,000 daily by August 31.
In mentioning the latest projections and current trend in cases, the DOH said that COVID-19 cases in the country is showing a continuous uptrend that may bring an estimated 19,306 cases daily by end of August.
However, the DOH said the rise in case load is slow and will be more controlled if primary vaccine series and booster coverage will be improved further and compliance to minimum public health standards will continue.
According to the DOH, if this happens, the projected number of infections will go down to 6,194 up to 8,346 cases daily during the period mentioned.
The health department also pointed out that aside from the protential spike in the number of cases, monitoring of hospitalization rates and admissions are also vital.
“While we do consider COVID-19 case numbers in determining an area’s alert level, we would like to emphasize the larger focus we have on admission and hospital utilization rates,” the DOH said in a statement.
“With the advances in COVID-19 treatment and the availability of vaccines to combat severe and critical disease, as well as deaths, we now have the capability to reduce the vulnerable population and keep hospital utilization and fatalities to a minimum.”
Based on latest data from OCTA Research, healthcare utilization rate (HCUR) for COVID-19 in Bohol and Iloilo went past the 50-percent threshold and logged 57.7 percent and 52.4 percent, respectively, last July 24.
Meanwhile, the one-week HCUR in the National Capital Region (NCR) also rose from 30.7 percent to 31.7 percent for the same period, wherein 27.3 percent occupied the intensive care units (ICU).
In relation to this, the DOH appealed to the public to continue wearing face masks, isolation and informing close contacts when sick, doubling up on protection through vaccines and ensuring enough and proper ventilation to prevent the virus from spreading.
As part of the plans of the national government to curb COVID-19 infections, the DOH, including local government units, have launched a campaign today, July 26, that aims to provide booster shots to 50 percent of the country’s eligible population in the next three months.
The campaign also seeks to vaccinate 90 percent of the target population of senior citizens within the same period.