MANILA, Philippines — New COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) rose by seven percent, independent analytics group Octa Research reported Sunday.
Octa Research fellow Guido David said that the average COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila was 85 this week, higher than last week’s average of 79.
READ: DOH: Rise in COVID cases not cause for alarm
“The NCR had a one week growth rate of 7% as the 7-day average in new Covid-19 cases increased from 79 (as of April 17 to 23) to 85 (as of April 24 to 30),” he posted on social media site Twitter.
NCR with an uptick in Covid-19 cases as new cases increased by 7% compared to the previous week. The reproduction number increased to 0.79. Positivity rate was 1.4% and Healthcare utilization was 21%. NCR is still at LOW RISK as of April 30. @dzbb @dzrhnews @DZAR1026 @allangatus pic.twitter.com/Ze7x5lp89K
— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) May 1, 2022
The reproduction number — or the average number of persons who can be potentially infected by the virus — likewise increased, but still within experts’ ideal figure of less than one to indicate a downward trend in cases.
“The reproduction number increased over the same period from 0.66 to 0.79,” said David.
Positivity rate in NCR, meanwhile, remained at 1.4 percent, within the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommendation of five percent and below.
The average COVID-19 tests conducted per day in Metro Manila was 11,544.
Healthcare utilization for COVID-19 in the capital region remained very low at 21 percent with intensive care unit utilization at 19 percent, said David.
Metro Manila is still at low risk for COVID-19 as of April 30, David noted.
Earlier, the Department of Health warned of a potential COVID-19 case surge by mid-May, if compliance to health protocols is relaxed.
READ: DOH warns of possible COVID-19 surge by May due to neglected health standards
The WHO warned the country to prepare as cases are likely to increase, especially after the May 9 elections.
To date, the country has a total of 3,685,643 COVID-19 cases, including the 240 additional infections logged on April 30. Active cases stood at 7,165.