DOH: 11 cities in Metro Manila show ‘continued increase’ in COVID-19 cases

COVID-19 test_positive. STOCK PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said 11 cities in Metro Manila or the National Capital Region (NCR) have shown a “continuous increase” in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks.

The DOH enumerated the cities as Makati, Paranaque, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Pasig, Manila, Quezon City, Marikina, and Valenzuela.

“As of June 13, there are 11 areas in NCR showing continued increase in cases both in the recent one and two weeks (positive one- and two-week growth rates). These are [the] cities of Makati, Paranaque, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Muntinlupa, Las Pinas, Pasig, Manila, Quezon City, Marikina, and Valenzuela,” the DOH said in a statement.

But it also said that “despite the continued increase, cases remain low with average daily attack rates ranging from less than [one] case to up to [three] cases per 100K population among these areas.”

It can be recalled that independent pandemic monitor Octa Research earlier said that the new COVID-19 cases in the capital region “have accelerated” as the virus reproduction number in the area swelled in the last week.

Also, Octa Research previously predicted that fresh COVID-19 infections in Metro Manila may increase to as much as 400 to 500 cases a day by the end of June, based on current trends of transmission.

KGA