OCTA: COVID-19 surge likely after Eleksyon 2022

A surge in COVID-19 cases is likely after Eleksyon 2022 following the reported detection of  the Omicron BA.2.12 in the country, the independent research group OCTA Research has said.

According to Maki Pulido’s “24 Oras” report on Thursday, OCTA said the country remained at “very low risk” classification despite the slight increase of COVID-19 infections in several areas.

In Quezon City, from 13 cases a day on its weekly average it increased to 42 cases.

The National Capital Region (NCR)’s reproduction number, on the other hand, increased from 0.62 to 0.71.

The OCTA, however, said the possible surge would not be as severe during the Omicron surge last January.

“Preliminary analysis [shows] there is a quite surge. And maybe you know not that many people are going to be affected. We are not even telling people to be alarmed,” OCTA research group fellow Guido David said.

Dr. Rontgene Solante, an infectious disease expert, said the Omicron subvariant was “not deadly” as the Delta variant.

“Most of the cases are only mild and the risk of going to severe is less except for those vulnerable population,” Solante said.

The Department of Health said the country’s healthcare system was ready and prepared for the possible surge. However, the public must not be complacent.

“Ang pinaka-epektibong pamamaraan pa rin yung minimum public health standards. Wear the best fitted mask, magpabooster dose na po kayo ngayon habang maluwag ang ating bakunahan," Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

"Huwag yung may surge at magmamadali tayong lahat,” he added.

(The most effective prevention is following the minimum public health standards. Wear the best fitted mask, get your booster doses. Do not wait for the surge in order to get vaccinated.)

The DOH announced on Wednesday that the Philippines has detected its first case of Omicron BA.2.12 in Baguio City in a 52-year-old Finnish female who arrived from Finland on April 2.

The number of close contacts of the Finnish female has increased to 44.

Based on the DOH’s current contact tracing, nine of which were in Quezon City, five in Benguet, and 30 were from the plane she rode in going to Manila. —Richa Noriega/NB, GMA News