By CNN Philippines Staff

The National Capital Region has returned to "high risk" classification due to rising COVID-19 cases, according to the Department of Health.

Aside from NCR, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Visayas, and Northern Mindanao are also under "high risk," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a press briefing Tuesday.

Vergeire added that the six regions saw an increase in their average daily attack rates (ADAR), or the number of confirmed cases in a certain area or population.

The ADAR of the following regions from July 20 to Aug. 2 are as follows:

- NCR: 8.96

- Central Visayas: 8.79

- Ilocos Region: 8.47

- Cagayan Valley: 7.50

- CAR: 7.48

- Northern Mindanao: 7.47

The DOH said an attack rate of more than 7 per 100,000 population is considered "high risk."

Meanwhile, the healthcare utilization rate in NCR is 46.52% while its intensive care utilization rate is 54.82%. Both rates are classified as "low risk," according to the DOH.

Metro Manila will revert to the strictest enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from August 6 to 20 due to the Delta coronavirus variant.

The country on Tuesday recorded 6,879 new COVID-19 infections, raising the total to 1,612,541.

Of the nationwide tally, 63,137 are active cases or currently ill.