NCR still at moderate risk as COVID-19 cases decrease by 15% — OCTA

NCR Covid cases decreased by 15% compared to previous week. Reproduction number down to 1.03, HCUR remained at 37% while positivity rate decreased from 16.3% to 14.6%. NCR remained at MODERATE RISK at this time but the 2-week decline is very encouraging. #COVID19 @dzbb @DZAR1026 pic.twitter.com/3NL8FPJG0L

— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) August 22, 2022

The National Capital Region (NCR) remains at moderate risk for COVID-19 even as its new cases decreased by 15% compared to the previous week, independent monitoring group OCTA Research said Monday.

According to OCTA, Metro Manila has a current 7-day average of 1,055 cases or an average daily attack rate of 7.32 per 100,000 individuals.

“At this time, NCR remains at moderate risk. The decrease in cases and positivity rate in the NCR has held for two weeks now, a good sign moving forward,” OCTA fellow Guido David said in a tweet.

David said the one-week growth rate of new cases in the region was recorded at -15% as of August 21 compared to the -1% as of August 14.

Meanwhile, the reproduction number in the region also decreased to 1.03 as of August 18 from 1.11 as of August 11.

The reproduction number refers to the number of people infected by one case. A reproduction number below 1 indicates that the transmission of the virus is slowing down.

The positivity rate in NCR, the percentage of people who were found positive for COVID-19 among the total number of individuals tested, also decreased to 14.6% as of August 20 from 16.3% as of August 13.

According to David, healthcare utilization was at 37% while ICU occupancy rate was at 30%.

The Philippines has logged 3,855,804 confirmed cases, of which 35,271 are active and 3,759,176 have recovered. — RSJ, GMA News