Tuguegarao City, Cagayan – The Department of Health on Tuesday, July 26, has warned that daily COVID-19 infections may reach over 19,000 by the end of August if low boosters, vaccination rates as well as failure to comply with health protocols continue.
However, the DOH said if numbers of Filipinos getting booster shots and full vaccination are beefed up, the figures may lower to 6,000 to 8,000 daily COVID-19 cases.
The DOH said in a media briefing that COVID-19 numbers are projected to have a consistent uptick, citing their estimates at 19,306 daily new positive cases per day by August 31.
“However, with the improvement of vaccination and booster rates and MPHS compliance, case increase may be slower and more controlled at about 6,194 to 8,346 cases by the end of August,” the agency added.
DOH also said that with ample vaccine supply and availability of treatment for the virus it is capable to mitigate the numbers of vulnerable Filipinos as well as lowering fatalities and hospital occupancy.
The health department also bared that it is more aimed at regulating and managing hospital occupancy rates in designating alert levels per area in the country.
Previously, the agency gave a forecast to national media that daily cases may reach as high as 17,000 by end of July.
As for lockdowns, the Inter-Agency Task Force still has no comment, however, President Bongbong Marcos said during his first State of the Nation Address that his administration will no longer be imposing lockdowns to balance health and economy.
Presently, the country has over 27,000 active cases, according to the DOH. TNF