MANILA, Philippines— The Philippines’ COVID-19 positivity rate has risen to 14.3% as of Friday, according to OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David.
A total of 858 new cases were recorded on Friday, driving the number of active COVID-19 cases up to 5,293 nationwide.
Over half of all active cases are in Luzon.
“[There is a] 14.3% nationwide positivity rate. [There are] 331 cases in NCR, 55 in Laguna, 49 in Cavite. [We project] 1000-1200 new cases on April 29,” David said in a social media post.
Apr 28 2023 DOH reported 858 new cases, 0 deaths (0 in NCR) 525 recoveries 5293 active cases. 14.3% nationwide positivity rate. 331 cases in NCR, 55 in Laguna, 49 in Cavite. Projecting 1000-1200 new cases on 4.29.23 #COVID19 #covid @dzbb @DZAR1026 @ali_sotto @dwiz882 pic.twitter.com/2FO2lpg53E
— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) April 28, 2023
David also reported that the positivity rate in Metro Manila has increased by 5.3% in the last nine days.
David, however, pointed out that hospital occupancy remains low at 22% of total available hospital beds nationwide.
The Department of Health reminded the public in a Tuesday briefing the positivity rate represents the number of individuals who tested positive among those who took RT-PCR tests, and is not representative of the country’s entire population.
READ: DOH: Low COVID-19 health utilization rate means we’re okay, no need to panic
“It’s really affected by a lot of factors at hindi po natin dapat ginagamit na ‘yan lang ang basihan para masabi natin kung ano ang sitwasyon sa ating bansa. It would be unfair for our local governments and our other sectors kung magdedeklara tayo na magpapapanic na tayo, na high risk na tayo, just because of our positivity rate,” said DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire.
(It’s really affected by a lot of factors and we should not use this as the only basis to interpret the situation in our country. It would be unfair for our local governments and our other sectors if we declare high risk and cause panic, just because of the positivity rate.)