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The Health Department on Monday issued an “improved format of the Covid-19 case bulletin to be simple, compact and easy to understand,” noting that data and science-backed information prove to be an integral part of the global response. against Covid-19.
The DOH said the communications messages also prioritize relevant information and call for action to guide the public on how to avoid and prevent the spread of the virus.
According to the Undersecretary of Health, María Rosario Vergeire, these iterations in the report of the case bulletins are aimed at maintaining transparency in the reporting of the data. Through the information that DOH will communicate, the public will be more informed and empowered as they go about their daily business, rather than succumbing to fear, panic and anxiety during the health crisis.
“Through the improved reporting of our case bulletins, we hope to equip the public by updating them with data that not only has integrity, but is also easy to understand,” said Vergeire.
One of the revisions included in the notification of case bulletins includes improving the content by emphasizing the most searched information, such as notification in percentages to create a more convenient way to inform the public about the number of cases and recoveries.
Another improvement is making data visualization more digestible and user-friendly. It compresses social media cards into a single, mobile-friendly newsletter that then targets the majority of the public, who are mostly smartphone users.
Additionally, the design enhancements in the case bulletins also include refinement of the color palette and design elements to reduce the strain on displaying complex information. The vernacular is also used to make data more accessible and identifiable for all readers.
Under the new design, statistics included in the old case bulletin format, such as percentages of cases (recoveries, active cases, and deaths), positivity rate, top geographic locations with new cases, are still included in the new format, but now uses the Filipino language to make it more understandable to the public and help convey the desired message.
As a platform to empower the public, the case reports will also include public health messages to remind them of prevention and infection control measures, and referral links to DOH channels to keep the public informed on where to find science-supported information. and evidence-based information on managing the new disease and preventing the spread of the virus.
These iterations were based on the findings of focused group discussion conducted by various DOH Health and Promotion Offices (HEPO) across the country, as well as a survey conducted for the general public.
As DOH next steps, the publication and issuance of these new case bulletins will be cascaded to the Centers for Health Development (CHD) for standardized reporting, up to the regional level beginning October 26, 2020. The bulletins will be published through weekly reports on Philippine Situation Measured Against Global Benchmarks.
Finally, the other data omitted from the old case reports will be reflected in the “BEAT COVID-19 – PHILIPPINE SITUATIONER”.
Vergeire has expressed optimism that the revised case bulletin will urge the public to overcome the pandemic by equipping them with correct information.
“Aligned with our reminder to the public to only subscribe to factual and accurate information or the A in our BIDA, A – alamin ang tama at totoong impormasyon campaign, we are hopeful that iterations in delivering the case newsletter will further empower public by helping them better understand our COVID-19 data, ”emphasized the DOH official.
COVID-19 cases
The Department of Health (DOH) recorded a total of 1,607 newly confirmed Covid -19 cases on Monday, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 371,630.
Of the total number of cases, 9.8 percent or 36,333 are active cases, 88.3 percent (328,258) have recovered, and 1.89 percent (7,039) have died.
There were 245 recoveries and 62 deaths recorded at 4 p.m. on October 26.
