A DIFFERENT BALL GAME – Hundreds line up for their COVID-19 booster shot at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Saturday when health officials confirmed the local spread of the Omicron variant around Metro Manila. (INQUIRER / RICHARD A. REYES)
MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila’s COVID-19 reproduction number further decreased to 0.50, although the downward trend has slowed down in the past four days, independent analytics group OCTA Research said Saturday.
The COVID-19 reproduction number, or the estimated number of new cases from one patient, was previously at 0.52 in Metro Manila as of Thursday, based on the group’s data.
According to OCTA Research fellow Guido David, the 2,256 new cases in Metro Manila on Friday is the lowest single-day increase since December 31 last year.
“While the decrease in new cases in the NCR has slowed down, as can be observed by the nearly flat trend of the past four days, the reproduction number decreased to 0.50 while the one-week growth rate was -69 percent,” David said over Twitter.
1.29.22. NCR reproduction number down to 0.50. The downward trend has slowed in the past four days but new cases still tracking below Jan 20 projections. Public must continue to comply with health protocols. @dzbb @allangatus @dzrhnews @DZAR1026 @News5PH @ali_sotto @NewsRmn pic.twitter.com/4wO4bS0k5Y
— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) January 29, 2022
Meanwhile, the seven-day positivity rate is currently at 21 percent.
“New cases are still tracking below the January 20 projections. A low risk classification will depend on how quickly cases decrease below 1,000 per day. The public must continue to strictly comply with health protocols to sustain the downward momentum,” he added.
(Screengrab from Pandesal Forum-Kamuning Bakery Cafe Facebook Live)
The Department of Health earlier classified Metro Manila as moderate risk for COVID-19, from the previous high risk status.
But as cases in Metro Manila decrease, an increase was also observed in parts of Visayas and Mindanao, according to the agency.