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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider COVID-19 infection rate in PH still high -- OCTA Research

COVID-19 infection rate in PH still high -- OCTA Research

Published Jan 18, 2021 05:31 pm

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is continuously spreading across different regions in the country as the reproduction rate remains above 1, an expert from the OCTA Research Team said.

(JANSEN ROMERO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

OCTA Research fellow and University of the Philippines (UP) professor Dr. Guido David said on Monday that the current reproduction rate or "r-naught" in the country is at 1.25, still above 1 which means the virus is being actively transmitted in the communities.

According to David, the increase in the country's r-naught was due to the rise in new COVID-19 cases in various parts of the country such as Isabela, Benguet, Kalinga, Cebu, Davao, and Misamis Oriental.

"May mga lugar na kumakalat pa rin ang pandemic at ito ang nagtutulak pataas sa mga numero natin (There are areas where the pandemic is still spreading and this is driving up the numbers," David said.

"Yung 2,000 cases a day natin, kung dati 60 percent nito ay nasa Metro Manila, ngayon halos 20 percent or 400 cases na lang (Before, 60 percent of the 2,000 cases a day in the country were in Metro Manila, but now only 20 percent or about 400 cases are in the capital region)," he explained.

David also opposed a proposal to allow more children, including those aged 10 and above, outside their homes as potential customers to help in reviving the economy.

The UP professor emphasized that this move seemed to be "inconsistent " with the policy that prohibits face-to-face classes due to the continuing threats of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Hindi nga natin sila pinapayagan na pumasok sa eskwelahan pero papayagan nating pumunta sa mall? Parang hindi naman consistent iyon. Gusto natin ma-stimulate ang economy pero there are other ways (We do not allow them to go to school but will we allow them to go to the mall? It seemed to be inconsistent. We want to stimulate the economy but there are other ways.)," he said.

David also mentioned that children below 16 years old are still ineligible for COVID-19 vaccines as they have yet to be included in clinical trials.

Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua has been pushing for looser restrictions on children and family activities in a bid to boost consumer demand.

Currently, only those aged 15 to 65 are allowed to go out according to the government's pandemic task force, but local government units have been allowed to impose a higher age limit depending on the COVID-19 situation in their area.

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