DOH sees no alarm over rise of COVID cases in Southeast Asia

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MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) said it saw “no alarm” over reported increases in 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID) cases in Southeast Asia.

“The Department of Health is actively monitoring COVID-19 trends including the recently reported increases in specific areas of Southeast Asia,” the department said in a statement on Saturday.

“We are actively coordinating through established mechanisms like the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). This gives us verified information, boosting readiness even as we see no cause for alarm,” it added.

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The DOH also said the Philippines saw an 87-percent decrease from 14,074 cases in 2024 to 1,774 cases so far in 2025, as of May 3.

“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,” the DOH further detailed. /jpv