Metro Manila COVID positivity at 2.9%

This developed as the seven-day positivity rate in Metro Manila has been maintained for a week below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended percentage of less than five, based on the latest monitoring of OCTA Research. As of Jan. 18, the positivity rate is now down to 2.9 percent from 4.7 percent on Jan. 11, when the capital region first crossed the threshold. A positivity rate of below 5 percent for 14 days indicates that virus transmission in an area is at bay. In October, the Philippine General Hospital declared its COVID-19 manpower crisis period “over” as it cited decreasing infections among its health workers. The last time that its staff was threatened by the pandemic was in January last year, when the Omicron surge caused record-high daily cases in the country following the holiday gatherings. —KATHLEEN DE VILLA