(File photo)

LAS PIÑAS CITY, (PIA) -- The Philippines remains at low risk for COVID-19 even though the number of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of hospitals has slightly increased, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

"Nationally, we have remained in the low risk case classification even though we have an increase in our ICU admissions and in severe and critical cases," according to Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire, DOH officer-in-charge over the weekend.

The country's ICU utilization rate has climbed to 28% from the previous 26%, Vergeire said.

She added that the "steady uptrend" in ICU admissions of severe and critical cases of COVID-19 began in July.

"The current number of our ICU and severe and critical is almost the same as our level of admissions last March," said Vergeire.

As of August 10, there are a total of 871 severe and critical COVID-19 cases. This number is 9.27% ​​of the total admissions.

Meanwhile, most of those hospitalized are asymptomatic at 40.98% and mild cases at 40.77%.

Vergeire also said that the Philippines remains in the low risk classification because it has an average daily attack rate (ADAR) of 3.51 per 100,000 population.

For an area to be considered moderate risk, ADAR must have up to six COVID-19 cases a day per 100,000 population. (PIA-NCR)