DOH projects 2,294 daily COVID-19 cases by December

The Department of Health (DOH) projects that daily COVID-19 cases in the Philippines could reach up to 2,294 by the end of December if compliance with minimum public health standards (MPHS) continues to decline.

Current projections indicate an average of 429 daily cases if MPHS compliance remains at its present level.

Factors contributing to decreased MPHS compliance include increased public interaction, reduced social distancing, and the optional wearing of masks during the holiday season.

The DOH estimates that active cases could total around 18,000 nationwide by the end of December under the scenario of declining MPHS compliance.

Despite a potential rise in cases, the hospital utilization rate is not expected to increase significantly unless a new variant of concern emerges.

DOH Epidemiology Bureau Director Dr. Alethea de Guzman stated that the highest expected number of admissions is around 800 for the National Capital Region (NCR).

She contrasted this with the Delta variant surge, which saw around 1,270 admissions, implying that even with more transmissible variants, hospitalizations may not reach previous peaks.