COVID-19 positivity rate in NCR climbs to 16% —OCTA

The COVID-19 daily positivity rate in the National Capital Region (NCR) went up to 16% and is still rising, independent group OCTA Research said on Friday night. 

This was an increase over the 14.6% positivity rate in NCR earlier reported by OCTA on Friday morning.

The positivity rate refers to the percentage of people who were found positive for COVID-19 among the total number of individuals tested.

Meanwhile, the one-week growth rate in new COVID-19 cases decreased to 15%, OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said.

The average daily attack rate (ADAR) reached 6.43 per day per 100,000 as of July 22, he added.

ADAR is the incidence showing the average number of new cases in a period per 100,000 people.

The healthcare utilization rate (HCUR) in NCR meanwhile was 34%, while ICU occupancy was 26%, OCTA added.

"Both are still below 50%," David said.

HCUR refers to the occupancy of isolation, ward, and intensive care unit beds, as well as the utilization of mechanical ventilators. This is considered at critical risk if it is more than 85%.

On Friday, the Department of Health said 3,389 new COVID-19 cases were recorded that day, the highest daily tally in the past five months.

The country has so far posted 3,745,375 cases while active infections climbed to 24,478 from 22,207 on Thursday.

Among the top regions with cases in the last two weeks were the National Capital Region with 11,112, followed by Calabarzon with 6,592, Central Luzon with 3,007, Western Visayas with 2,309, and Central Visayas with 1,222.

The number of people who have recovered from the viral illness in the country has increased to 3,660,241, while 15 more fatalities have raised the death toll to 60,656. —KG, GMA News