The Department of Health said the “situation is still manageable” even after the country recorded more than 2,000 new cases two days in a row. 

On Monday, July 6, the DOH reported 2,099 new cases were added to the national count with 1,258 fresh and 841 late cases bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country to 46,333; while 243 patients have already recovered, taking the total recoveries to 12,185. The death toll is at 1,303 with six new) fatalities.

The day before, on July 5, the DOH reported 2,434 new cases.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that while confirmed cases continue to rise, the case doubling time nationwide is at 7.95 days signifying a manageable situation in terms of healthcare system capacity.

“Bagaman nakikita natin na tumaas ang bilang ng kaso sa ilang mga lugar, 7.95 days ang case doubling time nationwide o ang haba ng panahon bago dumoble ang mga kaso (Although we see a rise of cases in some areas, our case doubling time is at 7.95 days nationwide),” Vergeire said during a virtual press briefing.

“It is still longer than a week and entails that the national situation is manageable,” she added.

The health official emphasized that the government hoped that the case doubling time will slowdown “to give our healthcare system ample time to treat COVID-19 patients” in areas such as Cebu City and the National Capital Region where a spike of cases was seen.

According to Vergeire, the DOH is now closely monitoring Metro Manila and Cebu due to the reported clustering of cases.

It was noted that 64 barangays in Cebu and 314 barangays in Metro Manila were seen to have clustering cases. Three close setting facilities are also being monitored in Metro Manila, including the clustering among MRT personnel.

Case doubling time in Cebu City is at 7.95 days while Metro Manila’s case doubling time is at 8.39 days.

“Tumaas ang kaso dahil sa tumataas na kaso sa mga binabantayang lugar, kaya kailangan natin mas mag-ingat lalo sa lugar na may clustering of cases (Cases are rising as places under close monitoring are increasing so we need to be more cautious in places that has clustering of cases),” Vergeire said.

She also emphasized that the country still has many reserved facilities in case an increase in cases is sustained.

At present, nationwide critical care utilization is at 38.75 percent, ICU utilization at 37.49 percent, isolation beds utilization is at 38.75 percent, and mechanical ventilators at 20.71 percent utilization.