THE Department of Health (DOH) has recorded a slight increase in the number of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases over the past week.In his report during President Rodrigo Duterte’s Talk to the People Address on Monday evening, May 24, DOH Undersecretary Abdullah Dumama Jr. said from May 17 to 23, 1,247 new Covid-19 cases were recorded and this equivalent to 178 average daily cases.“Bahagyang mas mataas po ito kumpara sa naitalang kaso para sa May 10 to 16, 2022 na 1,085 lamang at may 155 daily cases,” he said.(This is slightly higher than the cases recorded on May 10 to 16, which were only 1,085, with 155 daily cases.)But Dumama maintained that the country remains under minimal risk for Covid-19.He said Central Luzon, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Soccsksargen, Caraga and Bangsamoro are under low-risk classification based on their positive growth rates over the past two weeks.Of the 1,247 new cases, 14 were tagged as severe or critical, while 16 died due to infection.At present, there are a total of 688 severe and critical cases in the country.The DOH said the non-intensive care unit (ICU) bed utilization is at 17.5 percent, while the ICU occupancy is at 15.6 percent, both at minimal risk.Dumama said the country’s cumulative case fatality rate remains low at 1.64 percent, while the national recovery rate is at 98.30 percent.The Philippines has a total of 60,455 deaths out of the total 3,689,132 recorded cases since 2020.Dumama said the seven-day positivity rate or the number of those testing positive for coronavirus after getting tested is at 1.1 percent.“So sa nakikita po nating pagtaas ng kaso kami ay muling nagpapaalala na palaging sumunod sa ating minimum public health standards; palagian po nating ang pagsuot ng mask; panatilihin po ang wastong ventilation; agarang mag-isolate kapag may naramdamang mga sintomas; at magpabakuna na po ang hindi pa nakatanggap ng primary dose series at magpa-booster naman po once kayo ay eligible na,” he said.(We see that the increase in cases reminds us to always follow the minimum public health standards, wear face mask, maintain proper ventilation, isolate immediately when symptoms exist, and getting vaccinated.)He also urged the public to get vaccinated or get booster shots especially in the light of the detection of the first BA.4 in the country that was announced over the weekend.As of May 23, a total of 149,520,786 Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the Philippines.A total of 69,084,132 individuals in the country have been fully vaccinated, while 13,899,727 got booster doses.The National Task Force Against Covid-19 also said that 2,651,605 children ages five to 11 and 9,358,050 adolescents aged 12 to 17 have been fully vaccinated. (SunStar Philippines)