DOH starting to see slowdown in new COVID-19 cases

April 22, 2020

The Department of Health (DOH) said they have begun seeing a slowdown in the number of new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country.

In a televised press briefing Tuesday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said ''according to our experts, the doubling time is already slowing down. Before, it took only 3 days to see a double in cases. Now, we are already at 5 days doubling time."

She said the target is for a 30-day doubling time.

"This means that if the cases for April 20 is at 6,000, the COVID-19 cases by May 20 should be at 12,000 only. What we want is for the doubling time to be at 30 days," said Vergeire.

Vergeire said "about 30 provinces need to continue being careful.''

Others, she added, have yet to report confirmed COVID-19 cases.

"Large majority of cases are really in the National Capital Region (NCR)," said Vergeire.

DOH data shows 4,600 out of the 6,599 COVID-19 cases are from Metro Manila.

In the Southeast Asian region, the Philippines is second among countries with COVID-19 transmission with 6,259 cases.

Now at first place is Singapore, which now has 6,588 cases; followed by Malaysia at third spot with 5,389 cases.

The DOH said there is no room for complacency versus COVID-19.

"In times you would think you have already beaten it, it will suddenly make a come back and wreak havoc," she said.

This, Vergeire stressed, means physical distancing, washing of hands, cough etiquette, and frequent sanitization of surfaces must continue. DMS