NCR seen to break daily COVID-19 records on Thursday —OCTA

The National Capital Region (NCR) is "expected to break records" on Thursday with 10,000 to 11,000 new COVID-19 cases, according to independent monitoring group OCTA Research.

Nationwide, 15,000 to 16,000 new cases are expected for Thursday, said OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David on Twitter.

By Friday, "the country is likely to exceed 20k new cases," David said.

Based on OCTA's January 6, 2022, report, NCR's daily positivity rate is at 45% as of January 4.

"This projects to 15000 to 16000 new Covid-19 cases in the Philippines on January 6, with 10000 to 11000 new cases in the NCR," David tweeted.

He said this "would eclipse the previous high in the NCR of 9031 on September 11, 2021."

"And the surge has not peaked yet," David pointed out. "The country is expected to exceed 20000 new cases by January 7."

The Philippines on Wednesday documented 10,775 more COVID-19 infections, increasing the country's total tally to 2,871,745.

According to Department of Health (DOH) data, of the 10,775 fresh cases, 10,688 (99%) occurred within the recent 14 days or from December 23, 2021, to January 5, 2022.

"The top regions with cases in the recent two weeks were NCR (7,420 or 69%), Region 4-A (1,719 or 16%) and Region 3 (798 or 7%)," DOH said.

Amid the sharp increase in cases, the government placed the NCR, as well as the provinces of Cavite, Bulacan, Rizal and Laguna under Alert Level 3 until January 15, 2022.

Under Alert Level 3, several establishments will be allowed to operate at 30% indoor venue capacity only for fully vaccinated individuals and 50% outdoor venue capacity, provided that all employees are fully vaccinated.

Face-to-face classes, contact sports, funfairs/perya, and casinos are among the activities and establishments that are prohibited under Alert Level 3. —KBK, GMA News