Commuters queue for EDSA Carousel bus at Nepa Q-mart station in Quezon City on Oct. 11, 2021. (Photo by Michael Varcas/ The Star) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] MANILA: A health official said on Monday the country is now seeing a decrease in coronavirus-related deaths per day since August. The Philippines has so far reported 40,468 fatalities from the pandemic, with more than 2.72 million infections, PhilStar reported. "Deaths peaked in mid-August and had been on a decline since," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told reporters in a briefing.
In the said month, she said the average number of deaths per day was 163, or 5,055 in total. That was down to 144 or 4,308 in September. Halfway through this month, Vergeire cited partial data that showed the average is at 69, or 1,170 fatalities to date. The health official said the Philippines remains under the "moderate risk" classification for COVID-19, where a -44% growth rate in cases was seen in the last two weeks. Its hospital bed utilization is at 48.87% indicating a low level, while ICU utilization is at 62.39% or at a moderate level.
The peak of reported infections was during the week of September 6 to 12, where 20,946 more Filipinos contracted the disease. While the figures have seen improvements, Vergeire said several provinces remain at a critical level in their ICU occupancy rate. Vergeire said there is a need to strengthen local response in all areas to keep the momentum on decreasing cases.