NCR positivity rate begins rising anew, says Octa

A medical worker prepares the Pfizer-BioNtech Covid-19 vaccine for children aged 5-11 at a gym in San Juan City, suburban Manila on February 7, 2022. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — After reporting that the daily positivity rate of COVID-19 in the National Capital Region may have already peaked, the independent pandemic monitor Octa Research on Friday said the positivity rate of the new coronavirus in the metropolis is now increasing again.

“A few days ago, we reported that the daily positivity rate in NCR may have peaked,” Octa research fellow Guido David said in a Twitter post. “It is not yet clear what is driving this change in trends.”

David said that the positivity rate of Metro Manila on July 15 was only 14 percent, and the next three days after that yielded a lower positivity rate.

However, the positivity rate jumped on July 19, and on July 20, it increased to 14.6 percent, according to David.

David also said that the current nationwide positivity rate is at 14 percent.

READ: COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila may have already peaked, says OCTA Research fellow

The positivity rate refers to the number of all tests conducted for COVID-19, which yielded positive results.

The current positivity rate of Metro Manila and the entire country is more than double compared to the World Health Organization’s benchmark of five percent.

Meanwhile, David also said that it is not clear when the peak will be reached in the NCR.

“Cases are now rising in many parts of the country,” David said. “The new sub-variants are immune evasive.”

JMS/abc