A DAY after just 665 new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases were reported, new infections dropped further to 425 yesterday, the lowest in the last 17 months, according to the Department of Health.
In its latest bulletin, the DOH said the latest infections were the lowest since July 2, 2020, when 294 new cases were reported. The latest number, however, does not include data from six laboratories.
Overall, infections in the country rose to 2,832,734 while 44 more succumbed to the deadly virus, raising the death toll to 48,545 for a case fatality rate of 1.71.
The positivity rate in the country stood at 2.1 percent out of the 24,442 tests conducted last November 28.
Active cases dropped to 15,800 from 16,289 last Monday, with 47.5 percent mild cases, 24.4 percent moderate cases, 16 percent severe cases, 6.8 percent critical cases, and 5.3 percent asymptomatic cases.
The DOH also reported 909 more recoveries, raising the number of survivors to 2,768,389.
This means that 97.7 percent of COVID patients in the country have recovered.
The average COVID cases in Metro Manila has dropped to 204, the lowest since June 2020, according to OCTA Research.
In a social media post, OCTA Research fellow Guido David said NCR has not seen such a low number of cases over the last 17 months.
“As of November 23 to 29, the 7-day average was 204. By today, November 30, it will likely be below 200,” said David. “The last time the NCR had a lower 7-day reproduction number was back on June 5 to 11, 2020, when the 7-day average was 201.”
If the current trend is sustained, David said they expect NCR cases to average less than 100 during the Christmas holidays.
“Not considering yet the possible effects of the new Omicron variant, we expect new cases in the NCR to decrease further to less than 100 per day by the time the December holidays arrive,” said David.
Meanwhile, 59 more overseas Filipinos were infected with the deadly virus while 10 others lost their battle against the virus, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The total number of overseas Filipinos infected with the virus climbed to 24,190 while the death toll rose to 1,438. There were 79 new survivors, bringing the total to 14,306, while 8,446 are still undergoing treatment. — With Ashzel Hachero
