The Philippines has improved its ranking in the Nikkei Asia COVID-19 Recovery Index, highlighting how the country managed to keep new infection low despite easing restrictions.
From placing last among 121 countries last year, the Philippines climbed to the 33rd spot in Nikkei Asia's May 31 index, ahead of over 80 other countries including Switzerland, Israel, Japan, UK, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United States.
The Tokyo-based financial magazine gave the Philippines a score of 64.5, saying that the decline of infections helped the country move up in the ranking.
READ: Is COVID Becoming Endemic in the Philippines as Surge Subsides?
Nikkei Asia cited the decreasing COVID-19 infection rate in the Philippines with low to no confirmed deaths in previous weeks and even as the country opened its borders to international tourists.
The Department of Health welcomed the Philippines' latest ranking in the global index, attributing the improvements to the strict observance of health protocols among Filipinos.
“This remarkable recovery reported by independent external observers is being balanced by safety protocols managed by the Department of Health and our partners," Health Sec. Francisco Duque III said in a statement on Sunday.
"The DOH has always been aware that the COVID-19 pandemic response is more marathon than sprint. We are carefully pacing ourselves using the whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach, led by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte," he added.
The Nikkei COVID-19 Recovery Index ranks 121 countries each month based on infection management, vaccine rollouts and social mobility. The higher the ranking, the closer the country is to recovery, it added.
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