OCTAResearch / FILE
MANILA, Philippines — The COVID-19 positivity rate in Metro Manila further increased to 17.2 percent as of April 29, according to Octa Research fellow Guido David on Tuesday.
The current positivity rate is more than triple the World Health Organization’s ideal threshold for positivity rate of five percent.
Meanwhile, three other provinces recorded much higher positivity rates, the highest being Camarines Sur at 39.7 percent, followed by Rizal at 28.5 percent, Cavite at 28.1 percent and Laguna at 21.2 percent.
All other major provinces have recorded rates higher than five percent.
7-day #Covid19 positivity rates as of Apr 29 2023 increased to double digits in many provinces. High positivity rates in Camarines Sur (39.7%), Rizal (28.5%), Cavite (28.1%) and Laguna (21.2%). @dzbb @DZAR1026 @News5PH @dzrhnews @ali_sotto @allangatus @dwiz882 @haydeesampang pic.twitter.com/ViNoQl7i2a
— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) May 1, 2023
The positivity rate nationwide, on the other hand, currently sits at 15.2 percent as of April 30.
The DOH previously assured the public that there is no need to panic as the health utilization rate remains low throughout the country.
DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire also explained that the COVID-19 positivity rate is not the only basis for assessing the country’s COVID-19 situation as it is only derived from the number of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in a specific number of RT-PCR tests conducted — which is significantly less than the previous year’s.
But President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday said the government might require use of face masks again due to the rising infections.