From the period August 15-21, 2022, the DoH reported 23,883 new COVID-19 cases (based on PCR results) or a 15% decline in cases compared to the week of August 8-14 where the country had 28,008 cases for that week. This means that the 7-day average as of yesterday, August 21, was at 3412 cases/day. There were 101 severe and critical cases (same as last week) but the deaths stood out at 321 added deaths for the week that was (90 or 28% of the deaths were ‘fresh’ or occurred within the last two weeks August 8-21, 2022). The deaths the past week was 40% higher than the previous week (where there were 229 deaths reported).
Healthcare utilization for non-ICU beds was at 30.2% (6677 of 22076 beds), down from 30.9% (6781 of 21968 beds) the previous week. ICU beds was also down to 27% (699 of 2586 beds) versus the previous week of 28% (719 of 2571 beds). There were 811 severe and critically ill admitted patients compared to 822 the previous week.
Note that there is a large under reporting of cases as only PCR tests are being counted. Many use antigen test kits (and do not use them correctly because they presume that when they test on day 1, and they test negative, they do not have COVID-19). Reminder to the public that there are limitations for antigen test kits. Antigen test kits are useful when they demonstrate positive results. Data shows that in the Omicron waves, positivity in antigen tests tended to be negative in the first 48 hours, especially among patients with mild symptoms.
The Health Agency announces 3077 new cases today, with 29 added deaths and the positivity rate is now reset and is at 13.9%. NCR, however, owned close to 40% of the cases today with 1168 cases.
Cases in NCR was led by four LGUs with triple digits: Quezon City 275, Manila 141, Pasig 109, and Makati 105. Double digits came from 11 other LGUs: Parañaque 87, Taguig 65, Las Piñas 60, Pasay City 59, Marikina 55, Mandaluyong 33, Valenzuela 49, Caloocan 36, Muntinlupa 34, San Juan 15 and Malabon 10.
Outside of NCR, only three provinces reported triple digits today – all from CALABARZON. They were: Cavite 177, Laguna 126 and Rizal 103.
Provinces/HUCs with more than 50 but less than 100 cases were: Cebu 94, Batangas 93, Bulacan 93, Cagayan Province 81, Iloilo 76, Isabela 64, Davao del Sur 63, Negros Occidental 57, and Nueva Vizcaya 50.
Three provinces had unusually higher numbers today: Agusan del Sur 22, Butuan City 20, and Surigao del Sur 24.
Relative Joy 