DOH cites ‘slower doubling’ of cases; 140 new Covid-19 infections

During the Beat Covid-19 virtual presser, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire also reported 41 new recoveries and nine new deaths. (File photo: @adamsky1973/Unsplash)

MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday reported 140 new persons infected with the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), bringing the total number of positive cases to 6,599.

During the Beat Covid-19 virtual presser, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire also reported 41 new recoveries and nine new deaths.

The total number of recovered cases nationwide is now at 654 while the death toll has reached 437.

Vergeire, meanwhile, said experts have seen a “decreased or slower doubling time” in the number of Covid-19 cases nationwide.

“Dati-rati sa loob ng tatlong araw dumo-doble ang mga kaso ngayon mas matagal na ito. Halos limang araw na ang average, ito ay malaking improvement pero siyempre mas gusto natin na higit sa 30 araw ang ating doubling time (Before, the cases double in three days, now, it is slower. The average is almost five days, this is a big improvement but we want more than 30 days doubling time),” Vergeire said.

Most of the Covid-19 cases the DOH has recorded are from the National Capital Region.

While the disease has spread to other parts of the country, the DOH has recorded zero cases or a slow doubling time of cases in 30 provinces.

Vergeire said the improvement on the cases’ doubling time could be attributed to the stringent observance of physical distancing, regular handwashing, proper cough etiquette and disinfection of commonly-touched surfaces during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

“Ang goal ng ECQ is to flatten the curve and to buy us more time para lalo tayong makapaghanda. Ngayon ang mga kailangang (The goal of the ECQ is to flatten the curve and to buy us more time so we can prepare. Now, the needed) personal protective equipment, testing kits, testing centers, mechanical ventilators, protocols and medicines, we’re able to prepare them,” she added.