OCTA: COVID-19 cases in NCR Plus 8 on downward trend

DAILY GRIND Commuters wait for a free ride at the Edsa bus carousel’s Roosevelt Station in Quezon City. Government has eased quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila to Alert Level 3. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila and eight other key areas, or the so-called NCR Plus 8, are on a downward trend, according to OCTA Research.

“All of NCR Plus Eight are on a downward trend with reproduction number less than 0.55. NCR reproduction number [is at] 0.52, positivity rate 8%,” Guido David of the independent pandemic monitoring group said over Twitter.

Among all areas in the NCR Plus 8, Rizal has the highest COVID-19 reproduction number at 0.55, followed by Metro Manila and Pampanga at 0.52, and Batangas at 0.51.

10.20.21 NCR Plus Eight as of Oct 19. All of NCR Plus Eight are on a downward trend with reproduction number less than 0.55. NCR Reproduction number 0.52, positivity rate 8%.@dzbb @cnnphilippines @DZAR1026 @allangatus @dzrhnews @News5PH @NewsRmn @dwiz882 @dzbbsamnielsen pic.twitter.com/lpUmvh3a3q

— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) October 20, 2021

Reproduction number is the average number of new infections that stem from one positive case.

Health experts say the ideal reproduction number is less than one to indicate a downward trend in cases.

Meanwhile, Batangas logged the highest healthcare utilization rate (HCUR) among the said areas at 54 percent, followed by Rizal at 53 percent, and Davao City at 47 percent.

Occupancy in intensive care units was highest in Davao City at 68 percent, Rizal at 67 percent, and Batangas at 65 percent.

The Philippines is seeing a decline in new COVID-19 cases after previously posting over 20,000 new infections in September, according to the Department of Health (DOH). On Tuesday, the DOH logged 4,496 new cases of the disease, a low figure due to lower laboratory output last Sunday.

EDV