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The seven-day COVID-19 positivity rate in Metro Manila fell on Tuesday to 5 percent, just slightly above the World Health Organization’s (WHO) standard indicating containment of the coronavirus. Based on the latest monitoring of OCTA Research, the positivity rate in the National Capital Region (NCR) continued to go down, hitting 5 percent, compared to 5.8 percent on Jan. 7. “The last time the positivity rate was below 5 percent was on June 22, 2022, at the outset of three COVID waves in the NCR,” OCTA fellow Guido David said in a Twitter post on Thursday. The WHO has recommended a positivity rate of below 5 percent for two weeks to signify that COVID-19 transmission is under control in an area. Department of Health officer in charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said they would continue to monitor case trends in Metro Manila for two weeks to see whether the recent celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene would lead to more cases. —KATHLEEN DE VILLA