MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) recorded 1,264 total infections of COVID-19 from Oct. 2 to 8.
This figure is slightly higher than the registered cases of the previous week.
Thirty-three new cases were added from last week, which stood at 1,231.
Based on the newest weekly tally of DOH, the recorded infections translated to a daily average of 181.
This number is three percent higher than the 176 daily average back on Sept. 25 to Oct. 1.
Twelve cases of infections were critical.
The total number of active severe COVID-19 admissions is currently at 272.
On the other hand, six additional deaths were recorded by DOH.
One case of fatality was recorded in the past two weeks.
As of Oct. 9, the total tally of Filipinos who died due to coronavirus is 66,702.
This computation is based on the online COVID-19 tracker of DOH.
As early as May of this year, an infectious diseases expert reminded Filipinos that although World Health Organization (WHO) may have declared that COVID-19 is no longer a health emergency, the pandemic is here to stay, and cases may still increase depending on factors.
Former Department of Health (DOH) adviser Dr. Edsel Salvana said WHO’s declaration only meant that the world has more grasp on how to control the spread of COVID-19.
He likened it to other ailments which may peak during a particular season.
“COVID is there, it would not be gone. Cases may still rise from time to time. If you think about it, cases of dengue, and influenza, these also increase during seasons. But we can predict these because we have medicines. We have vaccines against flu,” Salvana said in Filipino.
“The impact of the pandemic can now be predicted and addressed so that we do not have to resort to lockdown or do drastic measures like quarantines for people. That is what WHO is saying — they are not saying COVID is gone. It is still there,” he added. (Zacarian Sarao, Gabriel Pabico Lalu © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
