Actual COVID-19 cases in the Philippines around 9,000 — experts
MANILA, Philippines — The number of actual COVID-19 cases in the Philippines could be much higher than the current tally of confirmed infections due to under-reporting, as well as asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic cases, according to researchers from the University of the Philippines.
In a policy report released Wednesday night, UP experts said that "there could as many 9,000 people" carrying the virus that causes COVID-19 as of Sunday.
They observed a wide gap in the age distribution of confirmed cases in the Philippines, with those aged 65 up representing about a fifth of COVID-19 patients.
“On the other hand, more than 50% of the population is from 0 to 24 years of age, but they represent only 8% of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines,” read the Wednesday report.
“This discrepancy suggests there is potentially some number of COVID-19 cases that are asymptomatic (no symptoms present), mildly symptomatic (only lesser symptoms like lack of taste), or unreported. Based on data from South Korea, the number of asymptomatic cases may be around 30%.”
Mass testing and contact tracing were recommended to identify "an unknown number of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic cases" who could potentially spread the coronavirus.
“There is the danger that asymptomatic cases may act as super spreaders of COVID-19. Mass randomized testing and contact tracing will help determine the actual number of cases, including asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic cases, and will help control the spread of COVID-19 by identifying and tracking the silent spreaders of the disease.”
It can be recalled that the Philippines' first lab-confirmed novel coronavirus case was an asymptomatic woman who arrived in the Philippines on January 21 from China’s Wuhan province.
RELATED: First novel coronavirus case in the Philippines confirmed
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Department of Health reported 6,710 cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines, with the national death toll reaching 446. The health department also confirmed 693 total recoveries in the country.
Data from John Hopkins University showed that more than 2.6 million people in the world have contracted the infectious disease. Global death toll rose to 183,120 as of Thursday.
Photo shows members of the Philippine National Police deployed in Manila amid COVID-19 threat. The STAR/Edd Gumban
President Rodrigo Duterte on March 16, 2020 declares an enhanced community quarantine over all of mainland Luzon, an expansion of an earlier general community quarantine over the National Capital Region.
The entire National Capital Region—16 cities and a municipality—is under community quarantine from March 15 to April 14, which means the enforcement of social distancing measures like letting fewer people on public transportation, reduced store hours, and the possibiity of curfews.
According to a memorandum issued by the Palace on Saturday, March 14, the quarantine means that "movement of people shall be limited to accessing basic necessities and work; and uniformed personnel and quarantine officers shall be present at border points."
Travel restrictions in and out of the capital will also be implemented.
A labor group says another lockdown will never resolve rising COVID-19 cases in the Philippines after the government announced that Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal are placed under the enhanced community quarantine starting Monday.
“The Duterte government seems to be deliberate in focusing its efforts in imposing quarantine and lockdown measures instead of addressing the rising cases of COVID-19 and the worsening state of the pandemic through medical solutions and scientific approach,” says Defend Jobs Philippines.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque says the implementation of enhanced community quarantine is meant to slow down the increase of COVID-19 cases, so hospitals and health workers will not be overwhelmed.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announces that Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal are placed under enhanced community quarantine starting Monday, March 29.
Tuguegarao City will be placed under enhanced community quarantine from January 20 to 29 due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the city.
Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba approved the request of Tuguegarao Mayor Jefferson Soriano to place the city under ECQ for 10 days.
According to the Cagayan Provincial Information Office, the city currently has 246 active cases.
BREAKING NEWS | ENERO 19, 2021 RIATF INAPRUBAHAN NA ANG PAGSASAILALIM SA TUGUEGARAO CITY SA 10-ARAW NA...
Posted by Cagayan Provincial Information Office on Tuesday, 19 January 2021
Batangas, one of the provinces hardest hit by the novel coronavirus, has reported no new cases of the disease for two consecutive days.
The provincial DOH Office says the number of COVID-19 cases in the province stood at 91 with no new cases as of Wednesday afternoon.
Lipa City has the most cases with 26, followed by Batangas City (21) and Nasugbu (11).
Tanauan City has the fourth most cases with eight, followed by Bauan (5) and Alitagtag (3). Cuenca and Sto. Tomas City had two cases each, while the municipalities of Calaca, Lemery, Lian, Lobo, Mabini, Mataas na Kahoy, Padre Garcia, San Jose, San Juan, San Pascual and Taal had one case each, respectively. — The Filipino Connection
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