NCR now at ‘low risk’ for COVID-19, up from ‘very low risk’ —OCTA

Metro Manila's COVID-19 risk increased over the past week, independent group OCTA Research said Sunday, moving the NCR from the "very low risk" column to "low risk."

In its latest update, OCTA said the seven-day average of new cases in the National Capital Region increased to 116 as of December 20 to 26.

OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David said the last time the seven-day average was above 100 was from December 3 to 9.

Meanwhile, the reproduction number in the capital region increased to 0.85 as of December 23, while the incidence rate or average daily attack rate increased to 0.82 per day per 100,000, OCTA said.

The seven-day positivity rate also increased above 1% and is now at 1.41% (from December 19 to 25).

Further, hospital beds and intensive care unit beds for COVID-19 remained at very low occupancy, OCTA said.

"Because of the increase in reproduction number, the NCR is now classified as low risk (from very low risk)," it said.

"We must continue to be vigilant and practice minimum public health standards as we head into the new year," OCTA added.

The country has so far recorded 2,838,640 COVID-19 cases including 2,777,918 recoveries and 51,200 fatalities. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News