Daily COVID-19 cases up by 14% in NCR but still at low risk, says OCTA

FILE PHOTO: Commuters onboard public transport in Metro Manila. INQUIRER/RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — The daily average number of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila is up by 14% but is not alarming as the region remains at low risk for infections, Dr. Guido David a member of the independent pandemic monitor OCTA Research Group said Wednesday.

David said that as of Wednesday, the 7-day daily average of COVID-19 infection in the metropolis has reached 90 cases, which is up from 79 cases per day the previous week.

“This is 14% higher,” he said in a public briefing.

David said Metro Manila recorded its lowest daily average about three weeks ago with only 63 cases per day.

While this is not yet a stark increase, he said that there is a “slight concern” that cases are steadily rising per week.

David also noted that the COVID-19 reproduction number in the region is 1.25 and the positivity rate is likewise increasing.

“Maganda na mag-ingat na tayo bago pa magkaroon ng pagtaas. Hindi pa natin masabi na tataas talaga pero mas mabuti nang may pag-iingat tayo sa ngayon,” he said.

(It is better that we be cautious now before the cases rise.)

He said some of the factors that could have contributed to the rise in cases are waning immunity, complacency and the entry of subvariants.

While David said there is no need yet to escalate alert levels, any increase in the number of cases may be prevented with public vigilance.

“Sa ngayon hindi pa naman tayo alarmed at hindi pa naman natin kailangan mag-overreact at itaas yung alert level kasi mababa pa naman yung bilang ng kaso. We’re still at low risk sa Metro Manila, pero pwede nating maprevent yung pagtaas ng bilang ng kaso,” he said.

(For now, we are not yet alarmed and we do not need to overreact and raise alert levels because the number of cases remains low. We’re still at low risk but we can prevent the further rise of cases.)

/MUF