The reported COVID-19 cases continue to go down in the National Capital Region (NCR) but the decline has slightly slowed down, according to the OCTA Research on Monday (Feb. 28).
In the Laging Handa briefing, OCTA fellow Guido David said the case decline slowdown may be related to the election season wherein more gatherings are taking place.
“Mayrooon mga countries na nakikita natin kung ano nangyari during the election season. For example, Chile is one of them. Nakita natin medyo affected numbers nila, pero hindi naman nagka-resurgence pero parang nag-plateau sila,” he said.
“This could be what’s happening in NCR, for example, baka nagpa-plateau na siya at around 300 cases per day,” he added.
The group said it supports the government’s decision to deescalate NCR and 38 other areas to Alert Level 1, especially if this is based on healthcare utilization rates.
Currently, Metro Manila has a 23.4% bed occupancy for COVID-19.
“Ang nakikita natin ay mababa na rin iyong cases dito sa mga other regions na binaba to Alert Level 1,” he said.
“Hopefully. kapag mataas iyong vaccine coverage nila ay mami-mitigate iyong possible infections of the unvaccinated, kasi mostly unvaccinated ‘yung mataas ‘yung healthcare utilization rate,” he added.
Even with the de-escalation of alert levels, OCTA said it is possible for cases to continue going down. Based on their estimates, the around 1,000 daily reported cases in the country may fall to 500 by mid-March.
Public transpo
With the expansion of public transportation capacity amid the de-escalation to Alert Level 1, Dr. Benito Atienza of the Philippine Medical Association advised the public to continue observing minimum public health standards.
He also appealed to limit the mobility of unvaccinated individuals and to have them inoculated first with a COVID-19 vaccine.
“‘Yung mga malls kapag Sunday, talagang ang dami na pong mga bata, hindi na po nasusunod … sa dami ng pumapasok, ‘di na kaya ng guwardya na i-check ‘yung temperature. Dati tsine-check ‘yung vaccination card, ngayon hindi na,” he said. – Report from Mark Fetalco/AG-rir
