COVID CASES | Health agency allays fears of new wave of COVID-19 in Metro Manila

January 4, 2024 , 05:21 PM

By Clarist Zablan

(January 4, 2024) – The Department of Health (DOH) dismissed on Thursday fears of a new wave of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Metro Manila, describing it as “false” reports.

The department warned it would press criminal charges if posts about an alleged surge in COVID-19 admissions at St. Luke’s Medical Center (SLMC) continued circulating.

“There is no credible evidence or official announcement from health authorities supporting the assertion of a surge in COVID-19 cases at the mentioned hospital,” DOH said in a statement.

“The DOH urges the public to rely on information from reputable sources such as the agency and other official health organizations. Misinformation can contribute to unnecessary panic and fear.”

SLMC has also refuted the posts, noting in a Facebook post that the statements were “false information that originated two years ago.” The hospital also denied the claim that one of its doctors issued the statement recently.

Last week, posts were circulating on social media, reportedly attributed to a pulmonary doctor in SLMC, claiming that the intensive care unit (ICU) for COVID-19 cases in the health facility has gone to full capacity because of a new wave of infections in Metro Manila.

In a separate statement, the health department said the percentage of occupied ICU beds for COVID-19 cases nationwide only peaked at 16% from November to December last year, averaging at 12%.

Outside of the ICU, only 19% of beds were occupied at its highest, averaging at 17% over the same period.

Health authorities assured that COVID-19 admissions in the country are still low, but reminded the public not to be “complacent” about the virus.

“Our data also shows a consistently low percentage of severe and critical cases among hospital admissions, currently at 11%,” the DOH said. “Our data shows the continuous low transmission and mild presentation of COVID-19 locally.”

The health department tallied 2,442 new COVID-19 cases in the national capital region over the last two weeks, averaging to 174 cases per day. Nationwide, the department tallied 225 cases in a single day on Wednesday.

In terms of vaccination, 78.4 million Filipinos nationwide have received the complete doses as of the department’s latest data in March 2023, making up more than 70% of the population. Of them, 23.8 million have received booster doses.

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