OCTA: NCR registers -7 % COVID-19 growth rate; continued decline of cases seen

Parents and children relax at a public park, as the country’s capital region loosens coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, November 2, 2021. Picture taken November 2, 2021. REUTERS/Lisa Marie David

MANILA, Philippines — A continued decline of infections is seen in Metro Manila as the metropolis registered a negative 7% COVID-19 growth rate, the independent pandemic monitor OCTA Research group said Thursday.

Dr. Guido David, OCTA Research fellow said Metro Manila had an average of 379 daily new cases from Nov. 11 to 17, which is lower compared to the 407 cases recorded from November 4 to 10

This translates into a growth rate of negative 7%, he said.

The reproductive number in the National Capital Region was at 0.5 as of Nov. 14, David said, while the positivity rate from Nov. 10 to 16 was 3%.

“The positivity rate is projected to improve to 2% this week. With such a low positivity rate, we project the NCR will continue to have a decline in new cases,” David said in a Twitter post.

He said Metro Manila will have a target 7-day average of 200 COVID-19 new cases by the end of November.

“However, we must continue to adhere to minimum public health standards,” David continued.

11.18.21 NCR one week growth rate becomes negative again at -7%. 7-Day average decreased from 407 to 379. Reproduction number at 0.5. Positivity rate at 3%, and projected to decrease to 2% by this week @dzbb @dzrhnews @allangatus @DZAR1026 @News5PH @NewsRmn @dzme_1530khz @dwiz882 pic.twitter.com/SYhLWbhlpM

— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) November 18, 2021

The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday logged 1,190 new COVID-19 cases in the country, with 2,759 new recoveries.

This brought the active cases in the Philippines down to 23,846.

/MUF