We’re definitely seeing a decline in cases and while the decline will never be a dramatic one, it is a significant stride as the Health Agency reports 5,790 new cases today. The positivity rate continued to hover at the 13% average for this week based on positives from laboratory reports of May 14. With over 7,500 new recoveries, the active cases have decreased to less than 5% with 54,904 active cases. With 1,143,963 total COVID-19 cases, the Philippines moves up to 24th in global rank overtaking Iraq.
Notice the difference, however, in intensive care unit beds in the whole country vs. the National Capital Region. With the increasing cases outside of NCR, the ICU bed capacity is now lower in Mega Manila compared to the whole country (57% vs. 58%).
New deaths reported today was 140, bringing the case fatality ratio based on outcomes (recoveries and deaths) is steady at 1.76%.
For the week of May 9-15, 2021, the Philippines recorded 43,272 new cases and 777 new deaths.
The granular data by region, LGUs in NCR, top ten provinces and top twenty cities are provided below. Nine of 17 LGUs in NCR are among the top twenty cities. Palawan is under testing. Which makes this troublesome because testing is a reflection of the actual situation in the area. And this does not make the statistics accurate and therefore is highly disturbing as the data does not reflect the actual situation in the country.
The summary of how the week was is seen in the infographic provided below. The decline in cases comes as good news. However, the erratic death reports are disturbing as they are not real-time reports and like cases, are underestimates the actual situation in the Philippines.
The testing capacity is also quite erratic as testing is not consistent over the whole week. Number of tests conducted in the PH range between 45K to 55K. The positivity rate is now lower than 15% and continues to decline week on week.
Several countries within the Asian region are currently experiencing increasing cases as well, while others who are were doing worse are beginning to see better days ahead. With the various variants of concern and interest raging globally, this will be one long drawn battle and it is definitely taking a toll. The only exit strategy for now is greater catch basin for immunization and of course, vaccine availability.
Relative Joy 