COVID-19 cases rise in areas where vaccination rates are low

Photo Source: University Hospitals

COVID-19 infections in areas with poor vaccination rates are predicted to rise as more omicron BA.2.12.1 cases are discovered in the country according to a communicable disease expert.

The first 14 cases of the highly infectious subvariant in the country were as follows: two local cases in Metro Manila and 12 in Puerto Princesa.

Three more individuals with the highly transmissible sublineage of BA.2 have been found in Western Visayas, increasing the total number of patients countrywide to 17.

According to Dr. Rontgene Solante, a member of the government's vaccine expert group, the unvaccinated and disadvantaged sectors, such as the elderly, immunosuppressed, and health workers, are more prone to the pulmonary disease.

A rise in cases is also projected in several Metro Manila regions, which have a "very dense" population. According to Health Undersecretary and Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire, the increase in illnesses was not considerable.

The introduction of innate immunity and highly transmissible variety with the same booster injection rate might result in up to 14,606 weekly COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila.