THE Department of Health (DOH) has recorded a slight increase in coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in 14 areas that have been placed under Alert Level 1, the lowest quarantine classification in the country.In his report during President Rodrigo Duterte’s Talk to the People Address Monday, April 18, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III reiterated the government’s call for the public to follow the minimum public health standards (MPHS) and for local government units to enforce it to prevent a resurgence of Covid-19 cases.“So bilang po sa pagbubuod, Mister President nakakakita na naman tayo nang dahan-dahan na bahagyang pagtaas ng mga kaso sa 14 na mga lugar under Alert Level 1 areas at binibigyan po natin nang paulit-ulit na paalala,” he said.(In summary, Mr. President, we are seeing a slight increase in Covid-19 cases in 14 areas under Alert Level 1 and we have been reminding them of the guidelines and protocols.)Duque’s report came following the observance of Holy Week and amid the campaign period for the 2022 national and local elections, with events that resulted in mass gatherings.In a separate press conference, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the 14 areas where a slight increase in Covid-19 cases has been observed are in Calabarzon, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Davao Region, Eastern Visayas, Caraga and Cordillera.She clarified, however, that the increase in cases in these areas is not significant and did not affect their healthcare utilization.From April 12 to 18, the DOH recorded a total of 1,571 new Covid-19 cases or 224 daily average cases, lower than the 271 daily average cases in the previous week.Duque said the top three regions with the most new cases during the said period were the National Capital Region (NCR) with 606 cases, Calabarzon with 226 and Central Luzon with 181.The three major contributor areas were Cavite with 101, Manila with 92 and Quezon City with 82.Duque said the country’s cumulative fatality rate remains low at 1.63 percent while the recovery rate is at 97.83 percent.He said there are currently a total of 5,793 Covid-19 patients admitted in hospitals, in which 664 or 11.5 percent were severe or critical.Duque again called on the public to get vaccinated and get booster shots against Covid-19 to ensure their protection against severe or critical infection and death.A total of 66,854,770 individuals have been fully vaccinated, while 12,641,887 have received booster shots.Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the Philippines was recognized in a report issued by G20 (Group of 20), countries with big economies, for the acceleration of its vaccine deployment.He said the report further praised the Philippines as a model country not only in reducing vaccine hesitancy, but also for effectively increasing the demand for Covid-19 vaccine.“Na-cite po dito na despite the challenges that we had na napakababa po ng ating supply during the early stages, but we were able to accelerate itong vaccination po natin,” he said.(We are cited despite the challenges we had, including the lack of vaccine supply during the early stages, but we were able to accelerate our vaccination.)“Huwag po natin sayangin ang ating magandang nangyayari po ngayon dahil kasi ang ano po natin is mapanatili na po natin na mababa ang ating mga cases at saka ang ating death level, at tuloy-tuloy po na magkaroon po tayo ng magandang ayuda sa ating ekonomiya. Marami na po tayong nakuha na bakuna at talaga pong nagpakahirap po tayo doon at marami pong nag-donate na mababait na mga countries, huwag po natin sayangin ang ating mga pinaghirapan,” he added.(Let’s not waste the good things that are happening now because what we want is to maintain the low number of cases, as well as the deaths, and to help revive our economy. We have procured a lot of vaccines and many countries have in fact donated doses, so let’s not waste what we have worked hard for.)Duterte reiterated that the mandatory wearing of face masks will stay until his last day in office, noting that the country is not out of the woods yet amid the decreasing Covid-19 cases.“Dito sa atin, mga doktor, tinanong ko sila bakit ganoon (I asked them why). What is there in the Philippines that we’re able to, not really overcome — I said, the danger is still there — bakit medyo mababa tayo? (Why is it that our cases are low?)” he said.“And ang sabi ng mga doctor (And the doctor said), it’s because we maintained the requirement of having a mask. Less, you know… Sa kanila kasi tinanggal nila ang mask kaagad (They removed the face mask requirement),” he added. (SunStar Philippines)