88% of Philippines with increasing Covid cases

NEARLY nine in 10 areas in the Philippines are currently experiencing rise in coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases, with 57 areas being flagged by the Department of Health (DOH) for recording positive growth rates in the last two weeks.

In its latest national Covid-19 situationer report, the DOH said a large majority of the country's provinces and cities saw continued case increases.

"National and all regions observe continued case increases in the recent weeks with 88 percent of provinces, HUCs (highly urbanized cities), and ICCs (independent component cities) across all island groups showing positive growth in cases," said the DOH.

It noted how the average daily reported cases have gone up to 914 for the period of June 25 to July 1, from 599 for June 18 to 24.

"National case trend show continuous increase with seven-day average cases higher by 53 percent from the previous week," said the DOH.

In particular, the health department flagged 57 areas in different parts of the country outside the National Capital Region (NCR) after recording positive one-week and two-week growth rates.

"There were 32 Luzon areas, 14 Visayas areas, and 11 Mindanao areas showing positive growth in cases in the recent one and two weeks," said the DOH.

Flagged in Luzon are Baguio City, Abra, Apayao, Mountain Province, La Union, Dagupan City, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan, Isabela, Lucena City, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Puerto Princesa City, Romblon, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Angeles City, Pampanga, Albay, Naga City, Sorsogon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Masbate.

In Visayas, flagged were Iloilo City, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu City, Mandaue City, Cebu, Lapu-Lapu City, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Tacloban City, and Biliran.

Flagged in Mindanao are Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Davao City, Davao Occidental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Cotabato, Agusan del Sur, and Tawi-Tawi.

In Metro Manila, the DOH said there remains a sharp increase in cases with the average daily cases up to 442 for the period of June 25 to July 1, from 291 for the period of June 18 to June 24.

"NCR cases show continued increase in the recent weeks, currently higher by 52 percent from the previous week," said the DOH.

Despite the increasing number of cases in most parts of the country, the DOH reiterated that the country remains at low risk classification from Covid-19.

This, as the case increases have not translated to rise in other metrics, particularly the average daily attack rates and healthcare utilization rates.

"All regions remain at low rise case classification with average daily attack rates at low risk; while health care utilization rates also remain at low risk in all regions," said the DOH.

Total Covid-19 beds utilization remains at low risk at 19 percent occupancy rate.

Similarly, national ICU utilization remains at low risk at 15 percent utilization rate.

"Severe and critical cases at 10.62 percent or 648 cases of the total Covid-19 admissions," said the DOH. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)

IF IFS AND ANDS WERE POTS AND PANS...

A phrase that advises against wishing for impossible or absurd things to happen. The full phrase is "If ifs and ands were pots and pans, there'd be no work for tinkers' hands." A: "If only my parents would give me a car, life would be so much easier." B: "Yeah, well, if ifs and ands were pots and pans, right?"

A still longer version: If wishes were horses, then beggars could ride / If turnips were watches, I'd wear one by my side / If ifs and ands were pots and pans / There would be no work for tinkers. Dandy Don Meredith often recited a similar a somewhat similar phrase about wishful thinking that involved candied nuts

Well, life doesn't only consist of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Life has ups and downs and everyone tries to survive in his own clock-shell surrounded by a dangerous  ocean. Life is stuffed with plenty of excuses, and we are sometimes unable to apologize and say a meaningful "sorry" at the right moment.

Excuses don't know the question of age. I still have two significant examples to share:

The church was crowded. confirmation. A woman came too late. Traffic jams. In need of help, the woman looked to the left and then to the right. It looked like a young man liked to help her. He murmured, "Show up a bit, the LOLA likes to sit down". The situation looked problem-free at that moment. But after taking a deep breath, the LOLA realized the young man's comment. She was just 38 years "young"! With uneasiness she looked at the youngster, who started smiling at her. How old could he be? 14 or 15? A very big difference already to her age. Then suddenly, the young man realized his inappropriate remark and stuttered, "Sorry Madam, please excuse me! If I would have only known...!"

Choked with emotions, I also listened to the story of my former editor colleague in Germany several years ago. Her mother had expelled her from life. Only while laying on her deathbed, her mother did offer a plea in extenuation because of her lifelong fault. 

Excuses because one is embarrassed or with a simple alibi can be  found at every corner. Did you, my dear reader, count already, how many times you used the term "IF"?

Just to mention this example, which I noticed several times from my students. " If I could pass my German language exam, my partner would be very proud of me!" Sure, not only he, but also me, as your German language professor in Davao City. 

"If there would be a God, there wouldn't be so much misery, poverty, and war on earth!"

Well, if that's the way it's got to be...? If there is no other way? 

Maybe, you still remember Elton John's song from 1976: "Sorry (in the right moments!) seems to be the hardest word..." That depends!