DOH says monitoring new rise in COVID cases in Southeast Asia | ABS-CBN
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DOH says monitoring new rise in COVID cases in Southeast Asia
Dennis Gasgonia,
ABS-CBN News
Published May 17, 2025 05:49 PM PHT
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Updated May 17, 2025 05:55 PM PHT
The Department of Health said it is monitoring a rise in COVID-19 cases in some areas of the Southeast Asian region.
The Department of Health said it is monitoring a rise in COVID-19 cases in some areas of the Southeast Asian region.
Although the DOH did not specify the affected areas, there have been reports of a rise in the number of new COVID cases in Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand this year.
Although the DOH did not specify the affected areas, there have been reports of a rise in the number of new COVID cases in Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand this year.
"The Department of Health is actively monitoring COVID-19 trends including the recently reported increases in specific areas of Southeast Asia. We are actively coordinating through established mechanisms like the ASEAN," said the DOH in a statement.
"The Department of Health is actively monitoring COVID-19 trends including the recently reported increases in specific areas of Southeast Asia. We are actively coordinating through established mechanisms like the ASEAN," said the DOH in a statement.
The Health Department said it sees no cause for alarm.
The Health Department said it sees no cause for alarm.
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In the Philippines, the DOH said there has been an 87% decrease in cases and fatalities from 2024, with only 1,774 COVID-19 cases reported this year compared to 14,074 last year.
In the Philippines, the DOH said there has been an 87% decrease in cases and fatalities from 2024, with only 1,774 COVID-19 cases reported this year compared to 14,074 last year.
"The case fatality rate is only 1.13%. Recent trends also indicate a slight decrease in reported cases over the past three to four weeks. From 71 cases in the week of March 23 to April 5, 2025, it has decreased to 65 cases from April 6 to 19," it said.
"The case fatality rate is only 1.13%. Recent trends also indicate a slight decrease in reported cases over the past three to four weeks. From 71 cases in the week of March 23 to April 5, 2025, it has decreased to 65 cases from April 6 to 19," it said.
Despite the decline, the DOH encouraged the public to practice the same preventive measures that protect from other diseases like:
Despite the decline, the DOH encouraged the public to practice the same preventive measures that protect from other diseases like:
1. Wearing of face masks in healthcare facilities
1. Wearing of face masks in healthcare facilities
2. Staying home when sick
2. Staying home when sick
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3. Covering of mouth when coughing and sneezing
3. Covering of mouth when coughing and sneezing
4. Regular washing hands with soap and water
4. Regular washing hands with soap and water
5. Seeking early consultation for symptoms
5. Seeking early consultation for symptoms
Around 777 million COVID cases and more than seven million deaths have been officially recorded worldwide since the first infections emerged in December 2019, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Around 777 million COVID cases and more than seven million deaths have been officially recorded worldwide since the first infections emerged in December 2019, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The pandemic also crippled health systems, crashed economies and sent the populations of many countries into lockdown.
The pandemic also crippled health systems, crashed economies and sent the populations of many countries into lockdown.
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In the second half of 2022, infection and death rates tumbled due to growing immunity from vaccinations or prior infection. The virus also mutated to become less severe.
In the second half of 2022, infection and death rates tumbled due to growing immunity from vaccinations or prior infection. The virus also mutated to become less severe.
In May 2023, the WHO declared the emergency phase of the pandemic was over.
In May 2023, the WHO declared the emergency phase of the pandemic was over.
Since then, the virus seems to have gradually become endemic, according to experts, with occasional resurgences similar to the flu -- although less seasonal. - with a report from Agence France-Presse
Since then, the virus seems to have gradually become endemic, according to experts, with occasional resurgences similar to the flu -- although less seasonal. - with a report from Agence France-Presse
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