The number of new Covid-19 cases nationwide has declined by 42 percent in the recent week, a health official said Monday.

The figure is 42 percent lower than the recorded 941 cases from Nov. 22 to 28.

“Our epidemic curve shows that the current average of daily cases have further decreased by 397 cases this week and now 544 average cases per day. This average cases per day is already nine times lower than those reported in July of 2021 at 4,982 and also lower than 1,130 cases per day observed last Dec. 27, 2020 to Jan. 2, 2021,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online media forum.

The top five regions with the most number of news cases are the National Capital Region (NCR) with 125 cases; Region 6, 54 cases; Region 2, 53; Region 4-A (Calabarzon), 47; and Caraga, 46.

The top five areas with the most number of new cases are Negros Oriental with 27; Isabela, 26; Surigao del Norte, 22; Quezon City, 21; and Iloilo, 21.

In the NCR, latest data from the Department of Health showed that the average daily cases are lower than the lowest cases after August 2020 and April 2021 peaks of cases.

For the period of Nov. 29 to Dec. 5, the average daily reported cases are 112 which is 45 percent lower than the 204 cases reported for the period of Nov. 22 to 28.

“Nationally we remain at minimal risk case classification with a negative two week growth rate at -57 percent and low risk average daily attack rate at .67 cases for every 100,000 individuals,” Vergeire said.

The national health system’s capacity is at low risk and all regions are now at minimal to low risk classification, with negative one or two-week growth rates and average daily attack rates less than 7 for every 100,000 population, she added.

As of Dec. 4, the total Covid-19 beds capacity nationwide are at low risk with 21.26 percent Covid-19 beds utilization, 13.85 percent mechanical vent utilization and 25.74 percent intensive care unit beds utilization.

The country’s death tally for Dec. 1 to 5 is 15 or an average of three deaths per day.

The Philippines has ramped up its vaccination campaign against the coronavirus, holding from Nov. 29 an extended, massive drive to inoculate more Filipinos to reach 54 million fully vaccinated individuals by yearend. (PNA)