Metro Manila now at ‘critical risk’ for COVID-19 transmission – Duque

Metro Manila skyline by night (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JILSON SECKLER TIU)

MANILA, Philippines —  Metro Manila is now at critical risk for COVID-19 transmission, based on the virus case trends, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Tuesday during the weekly taped briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte that aired late Tuesday night.

According to Duque, Metro Manila now has the highest COVID-19 two-week growth rate (TWGR) at 1,475 percent and an average daily attack rate (ADAR) of 8.79.

The ADAR refers to the percentage of an at-risk population that is infected with the virus during a specific time period.

Duque made the announcement just a day after the Department of Health (DOH) classified the Philippines as high risk for COVID-19 transmission.

According to him, the country now has a 448 percent TWGR and 1.66 ADAR.

Meanwhile, Calabarzon (Region 4A) is now also at high risk with 557 percent TWGR and 1.60 ADAR.

The classification of Central Luzon (Region 3) was also upgraded to moderate risk after an increase in ADAR from 0.91 to 339 percent.

All the other regions, Duque said, were at low to minimal risk for COVID-19 transmission.

Also on Tuesday, the DOH reported 5,434 new cases nationwide, of which 3,826 or 71 percent were recorded in Metro Manila.

RELATED STORIES

PH back at ‘high risk’ for COVID-19

PH posts 5,434 new COVID-19 cases; 611 recoveries

ATM