Ten provinces in Luzon and Visayas have logged “very high,” or more than 20 percent, Covid-19 positivity rates, based on the OCTA Research Group’s monitoring on Sunday, July 24.
Positivity rate refers to the number of individuals who yielded positive results from among those who were tested for Covid-19.
In an update shared on Twitter, OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David said that very high positivity rates were observed in Aklan (32.6 percent), Capiz (31.9 percent), Nueva Ecija (30.5 percent), Isabela (27.8 percent), Pampanga (26.1 percent), Laguna (26 percent), Cavite (24.5 percent), Tarlac (24 percent), Rizal (22.8 percent), and Antique (22.2 percent).
Meanwhile, the positivity rate in Metro Manila went up from 12.7 percent, as of July 16, to 14 percent, as of July 22.
The World Health Organization has recommended that the Covid-19 positivity rate should remain at 5 percent or lower.
On July 17, David urged residents in areas with very high positivity rates to continue to observe minimum health protocols.
“In provinces where the positivity rate is very high, i.e. above 20 percent, the public is strongly advised to practice necessary caution to prevent Covid infection,” he said.