COVID-19 reproduction number in NCR drops to 0.87 — OCTA

FILE PHOTO: Health workers spray disinfectant as they make their way through a village on lockdown in Manila last March. FILE PHOTO/RICHARD REYES

MANILA, Philippines — The COVID-19 reproduction number in Metro Manila continues to drop and is now at 0.87, independent pandemic monitor OCTA Research said Thursday.

9.30.21 NCR Report. Reproduction Number 0.87, 7-day average below 4k but remained at high risk. @dzbb @cnnphilippines @allangatus @DZAR1026 @dwiz882 @dzrhnews @dwiz882 @NewsRmn @BomboRadyoNews @onenewsph @PHINewsNet1 @EagleNews @haydeesampang @PatrickTulfo pic.twitter.com/h2CuQdl0JN

— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) September 29, 2021

In its report, OCTA Research said the latest reproduction number is “considered low” since it is less than 0.9.

Reproduction number is the average number of individuals being infected by a positive case. The research group earlier said the ideal reproduction number is below one.

OCTA Research also said that the seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila dropped by 17% to 3,891, while the positivity rate dropped from 21% from the previous week to 18%.

The positivity rate, OCTA Research said, is still “considered high.”

“Using Covid Act Now guidelines, NCR remained at high risk but could possibly improve to moderate risk within a week,” the group said.

Octa said six areas are currently at moderate risk: Navotas City, Manila, Malabon City, Pasay City, Valenzuela City, and the municipality of Pateros.

Meanwhile, the rest of Metro Manila is under a high-risk classification.

Metro Manila is currently under Alert Level 4, which is the second-highest level of the government’s new alert level system.

The alert level will last until Sept. 30 with the government’s pandemic task force to discuss if the alert level will be extended or be lowered to Alert Level 3.

/MUF