ON the heels of the detection of the first case of the BA.2.12 Omicron subvariant in the Philippines, the independent OCTA Research group re-classified the National Capital Region as being at “low risk” from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
OCTA fellow Guido David said Metro Manila is no longer at “very low risk” from the disease as its reproduction rate has increased to 0.71 (low risk) for the period of April 21 to 27, from 0.62 (very low risk) during the period of April 14 to 20.
“The NCR metrics for April 27, 2022 compared with the previous week moved NCR to low risk from very low risk,” David said.
He said, though, that the average daily attack rate in the region in the past seven days improved to 0.54 (very low risk) from 0.66 (very low risk) the week before.
The seven-day average new cases also went down to 77 from 93 the week before.
Earlier, the Department of Health reported the detection of the BA.2.12 Omicron subvariant from a foreign traveler, who tested positive for COVID-19.
The DOH said the initial findings and data suggest that Omicron BA.2.12 spreads faster, while there is no evidence yet that it can cause more severe disease.
