MANILA, PHILIPPINES (PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Covid-19 cases in the country may peak by October, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Monday (Sept 20), citing experts' projections.

However, it could be prevented if Covid-19 response is improved, she stressed when interviewed over ANC.

"When you say it's a peak, there is this highest number cases reported and then there's this decline in the number of cases. But right now, we cannot see that yet in our numbers," Ms Vergeire explained, adding that based on projections from experts, the country is projected to reach this peak by October.

"If we can improve our response, we'll not... reach that number. But for now, we do not see that this is the peak yet. We like to be careful in declaring that this is the peak because we are still seeing the rise in the number of cases," she further said.

Ms Vergeire's statement came after the Octa Research Group claimed that Covid-19 cases may have already reached its peak in the country.

"Based on our analysis, we are still seeing a continuous increase in the number of cases. Although we can see that the increase in the number of cases has slowed down," Ms Vergeire further explained.

As of Sunday, the country logged 19,271 fresh Covid-19 infections, pushing the overall case count to 2,366,749. On Sept 11, the Philippines recorded an all-time high of 26,303 new Covid-19 cases.