Manila has one of least number of COVID-19 deaths in NCR

MANILA, Philippines — Despite its dense population, Manila has one of the least number of deaths caused by the coronavirus disease in Metro Manila, Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said Monday.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel, Moreno said the capital city also managed to control COVID-19 cases at 5,000 confirmed cases of infection.

“Manila has about 2.4 million population at nighttime and about 3 million, daytime, and 70,000 per square kilometers. We are the densest city in Asia. But despite all these things, these setbacks with regards to demographics, we managed to control it at 5,000 in our case,” he said.

“With 5,000, I think we have the least number of deaths in terms of percentage in Metro Manila. We are one of maybe the least of deaths, 2.7 ang aming death rate at 5,000 (overall cases),” he added.

Of the confirmed cases, Manila currently has about 1,300 active cases of COVID-19, according to Moreno.

With this figure, he said the risk of being infected remains in the city.

“There are 1,300 active cases so there is danger in Manila. I always believe that one case is danger, 1,300 is more dangerous, sort of saying. While it is true that we manage, this does not give you guarantee that we are safe,” said.

Currently, Manila has an 11-percent positivity rate or the percentage of those tested who are actually infected with the virus.

Data from the Manila Public Information Office as of August 7 showed that Manila already has a total of 5,179 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of this number, 1,253 are active cases, 3,690 are recoveries, and 236 are deaths. There are 343 suspected and 123 probable cases.

Moreno then urged his constituents to continue observing health protocols to prevent being infected with COVID-19.

“Everybody should consider this seriously and we have to behave in such a way that it’s a matter of life and death protecting ourselves. Kapag iyon ang nakalagay sa mindset natin (If we will have that mindset), chances are we will win this fight,” he said.

EDV