COVID-19 reproduction number in NCR rose to 0.70 —OCTA fellow

The reproduction number or the transmission rate of COVID-19 in the National Capital Region (NCR) went up to 0.70 on December 22, independent think tank OCTA Research said Sunday.

In a tweet, OCTA Research Fellow Dr. Guido David said the reproduction number in the metropolis rose to 0.70  from 0.42 on December 15.

"Note that this was 0.42 on December 15. If we compare this with last year, the reproduction number also spiked before the holidays, followed by a dip during the holidays (probably due to many people going to the provinces for the holiday break) and then an uptick by the first week of January 2021," said David.

"The holiday uptick may explain the increasing reproduction number and positivity rate," he added.

On the other hand, "A continued increase in the reproduction number during the holidays would indicate a pattern not observed in December 2020," he pointed out.

"The reproduction number in the NCR based on testing has also increased to 0.79 (this is a more accurate measure of the reproduction number because it is not affected by backlog)," David added.

Thus, David advised the public to remain vigilant and observe COVID-19 safety protocols as they celebrate the rest of the holiday season.

"Whatever the case may be, we must continue to be vigilant and practice minimum public health standards as we enjoy the rest of the holidays. People with colds symptoms should be mindful of mingling with other people," he pointed out.

12.26.21 NCR reproduction number increased to 0.70 @dzbb @allangatus @dzrhnews @DZAR1026 @News5PH @NewsRmn @ABSCBNNews @EagleNews @dwiz882 @PhilstarNews @dzme_1530khz @manilabulletin @MlaStandard @haydeesampang @CarolynBonquin @PHINewsNet1 @docbenjisays @DrTonyLeachon @roribabyko pic.twitter.com/N19yHo0xxs

— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) December 26, 2021

In a separate tweet, David said that on December 25, the City of Manila got the highest number of new COVID-19 infections nationwide with 58, followed by Quezon City with 25, and Las Piñas with 20.

LGUs with the highest cases on 12.25.21. Data was automatically extracted from DOH DataDrop. Any discrepancies in data due to error, reporting lag etc should be addressed to DOH @dzbb @allangatus @News5PH @dzrhnews @DZAR1026 @NewsRmn @dwiz882 @ABSCBNNews @PhilstarNews @roribabyko pic.twitter.com/tvSHUB0YR4

— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) December 25, 2021

On Christmas Day, the Philippines logged 2,838,381 total COVID-19 cases with 2,777,818 recoveries and 51,187 deaths. —LBG, GMA News