
The OCTA Research Group said that Metro Manila is now at "moderate risk" for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) following the rise in cases daily.
“There is an increase in the risk level classification of the National Capital Region (NCR) from ‘very low risk’ (from Dec. 16 to 22) to ‘moderate risk’ (from Dec. 23 to 29),” the OCTA said in a statement on Thursday, Dec. 30.
The group noted that on Dec. 29, there were 572 COVID-19 cases logged in the NCR which was "229 percent higher than the reported number from the previous day."
"The seven-day average in new daily COVID-19 cases in the NCR increased to 215 (as of Dec. 23 to 29) from 79 (Dec. 16 to 22)," the OCTA said.
It also noted that the seven-day positivity rate also increased to 3.86 percent from 0.69 percent. Positivity rate is the percentage of individuals who tested positive out of the total number of individuals who underwent the COVID-19 test in a week.
“The reproduction number spiked to 1.47, considered critical, from 0.51,” the OCTA said. This refers to the possible number of people being infected by a sick person. If this is less than one, the rate of infections is declining.
The group said that the rise in cases is not surprising because of the holiday gatherings.
“At this time, it is still uncertain if there will be a continued increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases, or if this number will drop back down once the holidays are over. We need to prevent this increase in new cases in the NCR from becoming a surge of infections,” it said.
“To this end, we exhort our citizens to continue to strictly adhere to minimum health protocols and get vaccinated if they have not been vaccinated, and to reduce non-essential travel and attendance of large social gatherings to prevent exposure to the virus,” it added.
“In addition, we exhort our citizens to self-isolate and avoid going out if they are feeling symptoms of colds such as cough, fever, sore throat, etc,” it furthered.