OCTA says 8 other areas at ‘low risk’ status
AFTER weeks of seeing a downward trend in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, the National Capital Region (NCR) is now back to its status before the Delta variant caused a surge in August and September.
In its latest report, the independent OCTA Research said Metro Manila, which is the epicenter of the pandemic in the Philippines, has dropped to a scenario not seen since July.
“A comparison of NCR cases as of Nov 2, 2021 versus July 15, 2021 (before the Delta surge), (it is) safe to say, we have already reversed the Delta surge,” said OCTA fellow Guido David in a social media post.
The group’s data shows that the average daily new cases for November 2 is at 630, while July 15 saw 627.
For the average daily attack rate (ADAR), November 2 was at 4.45, while July 15 saw 4.43.
In Metro Manila, reproduction rate was at 0.43 for November 2, while it was at 0.93 for July 15.
The region also had a positivity rate of 4 percent for November 2, while it was 5 percent for July 15.
Aside from Metro Manila, OCTA said the other eight areas under the “NCR Plus 8” group are currently all at “low risk” classification.
David said Cebu City is under “very low risk” classification.
Data shows that Cebu City’s average daily cases is at 15. It’s average daily attack rate is also down at 1.43, reproduction rate at 0.46, and positivity rate at 2 percent.
David said Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Pampanga, and Davao City are all at low risk from COVID-19.
Their average daily cases are as follows Rizal (131), Bulacan (98), Cavite (94), Laguna (80), Batangas (77), Pampanga (49), and Davao City (62).
All their reproduction rates are at low risk, ranging from 0.32 to 0.50.
Their ADARs, meanwhile, range from 1.67 to 4.02, said OCTA.
OCTA said the seven areas also have positivity rates ranging from 3 percent to 8 percent.
The national government established the NCR Plus 8 areas as the most populous and are at greatest risk for COVID-19 transmission.
NEW SURGE?
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) is not ruling out the possibility of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases surging anew following the lifting of the unified curfew hours in Metro Manila.
“That’s a possibility,” said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III when asked in an online media forum on Wednesday if cases may rise anew with curfew hours no longer in effect.
Metro Manila mayors lifted the 12 to 4 a.m. curfew hours in the region in anticipation of the extended operating hours of malls and business establishments to accommodate the expected influx of holiday shoppers starting this month.
Duque stressed that a surge in cases may be avoided if everyone will continue to strictly adhere to minimum public health standards (MPHS).
“We have repeatedly emphasized the importance of being mindful at the individual level on the importance of a disciplined compliance to minimum public health standards,” said the health chief.
“At the end of the day, this is a war against COVID-19, which is waged at the individual level,” he added.
Duque said wearing face masks and face shields, maintaining physical distancing, frequent hand washing, and observing cough etiquette are measures that are practical and cheap.
“These are very practicable (measures). We don’t need to spend much on this. You just have to be smart,” he said.
“With these non-pharmaceutical measures, we can win the war against COVID-19. This is not sophisticated, just being mindful and disciplined,” added Duque.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año expressed said, though, that he is not anticipating any surge “because 86 percent of eligible population are already vaccinated in NCR.”
“It is okay in NCR, we can afford more activities because of the high vaccination rate, 86 percent,” said Año, adding: “People were having difficulty going home (when there is a curfew).”
On when the curfew in the provinces will be lifted, Año said that is not yet being discussed.
“They cannot afford it yet because of the low vaccination rate (in the provinces),” he said. — With Victor Reyes
