CNN – Published Sep 27, 2021 4:49:30 PM

Metro Manila — The whole country is now under moderate risk classification for COVID-19 infections after a slight decrease in cases, the Department of Health Epidemiology Bureau said Monday.

In a Palace briefing, DOH chief epidemiologist Dr. Alethea de Guzman said the dip in cases was reflected in the negative two-week growth rate over the past days. A negative growth rate indicates that infections are decreasing.

The country’s two-week growth rate went down to –4% in the past 14 days, from 27% recorded three to four weeks ago.

Moreover, the country’s average daily reported cases from Sept. 20-26 is at 17,783, lower than the 19,949 average daily cases from Sept. 13-19.

Meanwhile, the country’s average decline attack rate, or the number of people infected per 100,000 population, slightly dropped to 17.12 from 17.80 recorded three to four weeks ago.

Despite the decline in cases nationwide, De Guzman said the following regions remain at high-risk for COVID-19: Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Caraga, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Soccksargen.

National Capital Region

With the decrease in the number of cases nationwide, De Guzman said the National Capital Region has also seen a downward trend in infections.

“Itong pagbaba na ito ay pinaka-marked sa National Capital Region…Nitong nakaraang linggo, meron pong biglaan at mabilis na pagbaba ng kaso na nare-report mula sa NCR,” she said.

[Translation: This decrease was marked in the National Capital Region…This past week, there was a sudden decline in cases that were reported in NCR.]

The NCR logged daily average cases of 4,347 from Sept. 20 to 26, which is 16% lower than the 5,145 average daily cases in the previous week, said De Guzman.

The capital region is also currently under moderate risk classification.

Authorities are expected to announce in the coming days whether NCR will remain under Alert Level 4 or deescalate to a lower status on Oct.1.

“Kung itong mga numero ng NCR ang ating pagbabasehan, tayo po ay posibleng manatili pa sa Alert Level 4. Subalit ang mga metrics natin at mga numero ay tuloy-tuloy po nating pag-aaralan,” said De Guzman.

[Translation: If the numbers in NCR will be our basis, we may remain under Alert Level 4. However, we are continuously studying our metrics and numbers.]

Under Alert Level 4, persons below 18 years old and over 65 years old, those with comorbidities, and pregnant women are not allowed to go out of their homes.

Outdoor dine-in services, barbershops, hair spas, nail spas, beauty salons, and physical religious gatherings are allowed to operate for up to 30% of their outdoor seating capacity, regardless of vaccination status.

SOURCE: https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/9/27/PH-moderate-risk-COVID-19-DOH-.html?fb