In Tuesday’s Beat COVID-19 Virtual Presser, Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary and Spokesperson Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire reported that the COVID-19 mortality rate in the Philippines continues to be on a downward trend after the Philippines on June 1 recorded its lowest number of mortalities in a single day since early March.

The Spokesperson also emphasized how the average number of deaths recorded per day has been dropping over the past few weeks. “Magmula sa average na 25.3 deaths kada araw noong simula ng Abril, bumaba na tayo sa 1.6 deaths kada araw sa katapusan ng Mayo,” said Singh-Vergeire.

According to the Health Undersecretary, the observed steady decrease in the number of recorded deaths per day is an indicator that the country’s health system is successfully coping with the pandemic. This decline shows that different hospitals and facilities are now able to manage cases more effectively thereby preventing more patients from progressing to severe disease and expiring.

This better management, according to Singh-Vergeire, is a function of DOH’s continued support and provision of equipment to the different hospitals and health facilities.

“Kaya’t kumilos kami at tiniyak na ang bawat ospital ay may naka-reserve na hospital beds, nagbigay kami ng ventilators para doon sa mga wala o kulang, at namahagi ng PPEs,” she said.

“Kung patuloy na pong bumababa yung bilang ng mga kaso at yung mga namamatay, dito po natin matutukoy ang trend ng epidemic sa ating bansa. At kung alam natin ang nagiging pattern ng epidemic, mas makakapagdesisyon tayo ng tama base sa datos at ebidensya na mayroon tayo.”

Singh-Vergeire reiterated the importance of the public observing minimum health standards such as appropriate use of PPE, physical distancing, cough etiquette, and proper hygiene to stay safe and healthy amid the ongoing pandemic.

“Paalala: Ito’y ginagawa natin hindi para lamang sa ating sarili. Para rin po ito sa kaligtasan ng ating mga anak, magulang at mga mahal sa buhay,” she concluded.