Metro Manila’s COVID-19 cases may rise to 500 a day this week — Octa

FILE PHOTO A volunteer medical frontliner from the Office of the Vice President’s Swab Cab administers a nose swab on a suspected coronavirus patient. Image from Facebook / VP Leni Robredo

MANILA, Philippines — The number of COVID-19 infections in Metro Manila may reach up to 500 cases per day this week, independent pandemic monitor Octa Research Group said Tuesday.

Octa fellow Dr. Guido David noted that the Nation’s Capital Region recorded 434 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, which translates to a one-week growth rate of 52%.

He also noted that Metro Manila currently has a seven-day daily average of 342 cases.

“We expect na baka tumaas pa siya maybe between 400 to 500 this week. Actually kahapon, 434 cases, pero baka umabot tayo ng 500 cases in a day,” David said in a public briefing.

(We expect this to increase between 400 to 500 a day this week. Yesterday, there were 434 cases, so maybe we will reach 500 cases in a day.)

David earlier reported that the positivity rate in Metro Manila rose to 5.9% on June 25 from 3.9% recorded in June 18.

Despite the increase in cases, David said this is not yet alarming because the figures are still low compared to previous COVID-19 surges.

He then urged the public to comply with the minimum public health standard and get the primary vaccine series and booster shots.

“Hindi pa naman ito nakakabahala. Mababa pa ito kumpara sa mganakaraan na surge. Patuloy lang na pag-iingat para sa mga kababayan natin,” he said.

(This is not yet alarming. This is low compared to previous surges. We just need to be careful, still.)

Metro Manila and several other areas will remain under Alert Level 1 until July 15, Malacañang has announced.

EDV/abc