COVID cases continue to climb
THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday said the average number of daily coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country continues to surge towards the end of 2023.
Based on its latest COVID-19 case bulletin, the DOH reported there was an average of 389 cases daily, or 2,725 infections, during the period of December 12 to 18.
The figure is 50 percent higher than cases reported from December 5 to 11, which averaged at 260 cases per day.
The case bulletin showed there were 16 additional severe and critical cases during the past week, and 16 deaths.
There are currently 211 severe and critical cases in the country, as of December 17, with 142 of them occupying ICU beds, which is 12.9 percent of the 1,101 total nationwide.
On the other hand, there are 1,841 patients occupying COVID-19 beds, or 18.3 percent of the 10,045 total beds allocated nationwide.
Amid the upward trend, Sen. Christopher Go encouraged the public to wear face masks outdoors and in crowded places to protect themselves from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, which have been on the rise this holiday season.
While health authorities have not declared an outbreak of respiratory illnesses in the country, Go said it is best for people to protect themselves due to the rising number of recorded cases.
“Kaya isa po sa dahilan na nababahala tayo lalong-lalo na po sa mga may edad na at may mga comorbidities, kasi napapansin ko marami pong nagkaka-ubo at minsan matagal na gumaling
(That is one of my worries especially among the elderly and those with comorbidities. I have noticed that a lot of people have coughs which sometimes takes a lot longer to heal),” Go said in his opening statement during the Committee on Health and Demography hearing to determine the government’s readiness amid the rise in respiratory illnesses the past months.
Go is the committee chairman.
He said wearing face masks can also protect the public from catching the COVID-19 virus.
“Alam niyo, kung hindi naman po sagabal sa ating mga kababayan, ako ine-encourage ko pa rin kayong magsuot ng face mask dahil hindi natin alam kung sino po ang may dalang sakit, sino po ang maaaring mahawa sa ating pamamahay, kung hindi naman po
