In this photo taken on March 22, 2022, policemen guard the boundary of Cavite and Metro Manila as the national capital and its nearby provinces are placed under lockdown due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. INQUIRER file photo / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — OCTA Research on Monday recommended the extension of the general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila and nearby provinces or the so-called National Capital Region (NCR) Plus for the month of July.
This came after OCTA Research, in its latest report, recorded that COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila have decreased by nine percent as the reproduction number in the capital region remains below one.
However, due to low vaccination coverage, and the state of COVID-19 in the regions surrounding the NCR plus, OCTA Research recommended the extension of GCQ.
“The NCR plus would benefit from remaining under GCQ status for now,” said experts from OCTA Research.
OCTA added that measures should remain in effect to spare NCR Plus from another surge, especially with the presence of the Delta variant, which is reported to be more transmissible.
“We can do this by continuing initiatives to expand testing, tracing, and isolation as well as by ensuring strict border controls to prevent the transmission of the virus within and among provinces,” OCTA Research said.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on the other hand has said that the quarantine classification in NCR plus is unlikely to change.
The so-called NCR Plus (Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite and Laguna) are under GCQ until the end of June.
Davao continues to lead list of LGUs with highest average daily cases
Meanwhile, outside the NCR plus bubble, Davao City continues to lead the list of local government units (LGUs) with the most number of daily reported cases of COVID-19.
According to OCTA research, Davao City recorded an average of 263 new cases per day — higher than the previous week’s recorded average of 251.
On the other hand, average cases in Bacolod, Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro, Baguio City, Tacloban, Tagum and Zamboanga City have slowed down.
Intensive Care Unit utilization rates, however, continue to be at critical levels in Davao City, Iloilo City, General Santos, Koronadal, and Cabuyao.
While high levels were reported in Bacolod, CDO, Baguio City, Tacloban, Tagum, Zamboanga, and Batangas City.
As of June 28, the Department of Health reported that total COVID-19 cases in the country are at 1,403,588, with 52,029 active cases, 24,456 deaths, 1,327,103 recoveries.
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