Nationwide COVID-19 positivity rate down slightly to 17.8%

FILE PHOTO: Colorized scanning electron micrograph of an apoptotic cell (red) infected with SARS-COV-2 virus particles (yellow), also known as novel coronavirus, isolated from a patient sample. Image captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH/Handout via REUTERS

MANILA, Philippines — The country’s COVID-19 positivity rate slightly decreased to 17.8 percent, from18 percent the day before, said Octa Research fellow Guido David on Friday.

The said rate reflects the 1,563 fresh infections logged by the Department of Health (DOH), as of May 5, 624 of which were recorded in Metro Manila.

“Projecting 1,300 to 1,500 new cases on May 6, 2023,” said David.

May 5 2023 DOH reported 1563 new cases, 0 deaths (0 in NCR) 775 recoveries 9159 active cases. 17.8% nationwide positivity rate. 624 cases in NCR, 97 in Cavite, 92 in Rizal. Projecting 1300-1500 new cases on 5.6.23 #COVID19 #covid @dzbb @DZAR1026 @ali_sotto @dwiz882 pic.twitter.com/J5QfZZx99p

— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) May 5, 2023

Despite being slightly lower than Thursday’s rate, this is still more than thrice the World Health Organization’s ideal threshold of 5 percent.

Based on the DOH’s online COVID-19 tracker, the country’s virus caseload is currently at 4,099,088, with 9,159 active cases, 4,023,485 recoveries and 66,444 deaths.

To recall, the DOH earlier reiterated that the positivity rate is not the sole criterion on the country’s COVID-19 situation, adding that the rate is already expected to increase due to the lower number of tests conducted.

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