The OCTA Research group reported that the country’s COVID-19 reproduction rate is at 1.55.
In today’s (Aug. 17) Laging Handa public briefing, OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said the Philippines’ reproduction rate as of Aug. 16 is 1.55.
“As of yesterday, nasa 1.55 na ang reproduction number sa buong bansa. Ibig sabihin nito, bumibilis iyong hawaan sa buong bansa. Siyempre iba-iba naman ang trends na nakikita natin,” he said,
Dr. David explained that 63% of the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country is recorded in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon.
Moreover, he said the effect of the implemented enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is yet to be seen in four to five weeks.
“Siyempre inaasahan natin na iyong ECQ mapapabagal iyong hawaan sa NCR. And base sa history naman natin last August last year and then noong March 2021, mga apat na linggo usually, 4 to 5 weeks bago natin makitang magsimulang bumaba iyong bilang ng kaso, so hindi agad-agad natin nakikita iyong epekto ng ECQ.”
He also emphasized the importance of the compliance with the minimum public health standards in lowering the number of COVID-19 cases.
“That being said, pwede pa rin naman nating i-recalibrate at siguraduhin nating sumusunod iyong mga tao sa quarantine restrictions. Kasi napakahalaga nito na iyong mga kababayan natin, iyong residents ng Metro Manila ay sumusunod sa quarantine restrictions para matulungan nating mapababa iyong bilang ng kaso sa Metro Manila.”
Report from Kenneth Paciente/NGS-rir
