THE independent OCTA Research yesterday projected coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Metro Manila would peak in the next two weeks.
In a social media post, OCTA fellow Guido David said that “cases in NCR (National Capital Region) could be peaking soon, maybe 1st or 2nd week of July,”
David said OCTA has recently seen a downtrend in the number of new COVID-19 infections in the region, dropping to a 50 percent growth rate from earlier seeing an 80 percent growth rate.
“The NCR growth rate is decreasing. The growth rate decreased, but cases are still increasing, “ said David.
Ten days ago, former Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that Metro Manila cases are already starting to peak. He has said that the cases could peak at 1,500 to 2,000 per day by mid-July.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) said it is looking into the high number of COVID-19 Omicron subvariant cases detected in Western Visayas in the latest genome sequencing results.
In a televised public briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they want to identify the cause of the 46 Omicron subvariants detected in the region.
“We are looking into the exposures of the people there and on why there is this increase in cases,” Vergeire said.
Based on the latest genome sequencing results, 38 BA.5, 7 BA.2.12.1, and 1 BA.4 subvariant cases were detected in Western Visayas. The number comprise 73 percent of the 63 additional cases detected earlier in the week.
At the same time, the DOH warned the public against false claims regarding the virulence of the Omicron subvariants and their supposed stealth features as denied claims online that these are “five times more virulent and has higher mortality rate” than other variants.
“The DOH reiterates that the public should rely only on official information published on verified pages and websites of the DOH and similar health authorities,” said the health department.
“Instead of spreading false and unverified information, let’s be responsible and do our part
in sharing the right information from the right sources,” it also said.
“The COVID-19 Omicron variant and its subvariants are known to be more transmissible than previous variants. With vaccination, boosters, and health protocols, there is a lower risk of severe cases,” it added.
Similarly, it belied claims that swab and nasopharyngeal tests usually provide false negative test results for Omicron subvariants.
“Accurate detection of the virus is still possible through RT-PCR testing, which is the gold standard. In fact, DOH has been detecting and reporting new subvariants accordingly,” said the DOH.
As of June 27, there are a total of 93 BA.5, 43 BA.2.12.1, and 3 BA.4 Omicron subvariant cases detected in the country.
POSITIVE
The Department of Defense yesterday said its officer-in-charge (OIC), Jose Faustino Jr., tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, a day before taking the helm of the DND from his predecessor, Delfin Lorenzana.
This is the second time Faustino, a former Armed Forces chief, contracted the disease. The first time was in August last year when he was still leading the military establishment.
Faustino served as Armed Forces chief from July to November last year. He also previously served as commander of the AFP Joint Task Force Mindanao, acting Army chief, and commander of the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command.
Lorenzana’s term as defense secretary ended yesterday following the assumption of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos as the country’s 17th president.
“In theory, (the) OIC, DND will also assume office today (Thursday) as soon as PBBM (President Bongbong Marcos) signs his appointment,” said DND spokesman Arsenio Andolong, referring to Faustino.
Andolong said a “transition ceremony” is due to be held virtually this morning.
Andolong said the 56-year-old Faustino, who is asymptomatic, will be performing his duties while in isolation.
“He (Faustino) will temporarily perform his duties while in isolation. (He) will physically report for work after complying with the prescribed quarantine period. He is fully vaccinated and boostered, and is asymptomatic,” Andolong said.
Andolong said Faustino came into close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual “during one of his many engagements and consultations prior to his assumption” as DND officer-in-charge.
Likewise, Philippine Consul General to New York Elmer Cato said he tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
Cato said he got himself tested after he was told that members of a visiting four-man delegation from Metro Manila were exposed to someone who tested positive for the coronavirus.
He said he sent self-testing kits to the members of the delegation adding that he has been self-testing daily since the past week when he started experiencing dry cough.
All four members of the delegation tested negative for the virus.
“And then I looked at mine. There were two pink lines. It can’t be the correct reading, I told myself. I was okay except for a mild cough. No colds. No fever. No sore throat. No headaches. It has to be a false positive. But I have to be sure. So I decided to do it again,” Cato said on his official social media account. — With Victor Reyes and Ashzel Hachero
