5 NCR areas now at 'low risk' for COVID-19 —OCTA

Caloocan, Pateros, Navotas, Taguig, and Marikina are now classified as low risk for COVID-19 due to improved data, independent monitoring group OCTA Research said Tuesday.

In a tweet, OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David said the average daily attack rate (ADAR) in these areas decreased to less than 10 and their positivity rate all went down to 9.6%.

The ADAR in Marikina is at 9.20, Taguig has 8.71, Navotas has 7.76, Pateros has 7.23, and Caloocan has 4.07. They are all in the moderate category, based on the indicators of the Covidactnow.

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

These five areas’ positivity rate of 9.6% is, however, still higher than the standard of World Health Organization of less than 5% positivity rate. If the rate is 5% or higher, it means there is a high transmission rate of the virus.

Meanwhile, their reproduction numbers and healthcare utilization rate (HCUR) are in the “very low” category, OCTA said.

Navotas recorded a 0.41 reproduction rate, while Pateros has 0.18. Caloocan, Taguig, and Marikina all have 0.28.

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

Moreover, HCUR in Caloocan is at 20%, Marikina at 17%, Taguig at 15%, Pateros at 6%, and Navotas at 0%.

“This resulted in an overall classification of low risk,” David said.

Meanwhile, David said the National Capital Region and the remaining areas in it are still under moderate risk for COVID-19.

The ADAR in NCR is at 8.93, while its positivity rate is also at 9.6%. Its reproduction rate is also “very low” with 0.30, and its HCUR is “low” with 32% recorded.

“The NCR remained under moderate risk but is very close to moving down to low risk. Several other LGUs in the NCR are under moderate risk but are close to being classified as low risk,” David said.

Amid the improved COVID-19 trend, he asked the public to continue observing the minimum public health standards.

The Philippines on Monday recorded 6,835 additional COVID-19 cases, increasing the total caseload to 3,616,387.

The Philippines has dropped to moderate risk classification for COVID-19 from a high risk classification, the Department of Health (DOH) said last week. —KBK, GMA News