Department of Health (DOH) has reported a significant decrease of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila and Central Luzon but a noticeable increase in Visayas and Mindanao.
As per OIC director of DOH Epidemiology Bureau Dr. Althea de Guzman, they are monitoring the said regions because although it is not rapid, there is still a rise in cases.
He reported that cases in Zamboanga Peninsula rose to 1,500 when the month of May started, which was four times the number of cases it had during April.
Aside from Zamboanga, a rise in cases has also been noted in the Western and Eastern Visayas, Soccsksargen, Bicol Region, Caraga, Mimaropa, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
As for the reason of these increases, De Guzman stated that non-adherence to public health protocols is the most probable cause.
Possibility of Granular Lockdowns
In spite of the said increase, DOH is still not recommending to heighten restrictions on quarantine believing that the health facilities of the said regions are still capable of handling their respective cases.
De Guzman, however, made it clear that local government units have the authority to impose granular lockdowns should they deem it fit to curb the rise within their municipalities.
Meanwhile, a decline of cases in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Calabarzon have been detected with De Guzman reporting that “cases have plateaued and gone down slightly.”
