The latest Department of Health (DOH) data show that 17.5% of individuals tested for Covid-19 turn out positive for the disease, higher than the 5% threshold of the World Health Organization (WHO).
National Task Force Against Covid-19 Deputy Chief Implementer and Testing Czar Vince Dizon assured the public that the government continues to increase the testing capacity of the country.
“Mula sa average na 30,000 plus, ngayon po ang average na po natin ay lampas 55,000 at nagpi-peak na po tayo ng above 60,000 per day,” Dizon reported at a palace briefing on Thursday (April 22).
[The current average is over 55,000 tests from the previous 30,000 plus, and we are peaking at above 60,000 per day.]
Dizon added that antigen test kits are being used in the Greater Manila Area to test symptomatic patients and close contacts of Covid-positive individuals.
According to OCTA Research, the positivity rate must be reduced to conclude that there is enough testing conducted. It added that there is no room for complacency, despite a decline in the Covid-19 reproduction rate in Metro Manila to 0.99 as of April 22.
“Ngayon kasi ang danger is kahit bumababa, limited ‘yung testing natin. So posibleng marami tayong di nate-test na mga cases, dahil medyo sagad na ‘yung testing natin. Naka-depende na rin tayo sa antigen testing,” Dr. Guido David of OCTA Research said.
[The danger now, despite the decline, is limited testing. It is possible that many cases are undetected. Because our testing has almost reached its maximum capacity, we are dependent on antigen testing.]
Watch this report from Mark Fetalco for more details:
Reproduction number unstable
Fr. Nicanor Austriaco of OCTA Research said a below-one reproduction number in Metro Manila must be maintained for a week before further easing quarantine restrictions.
The molecular biologist said the reproduction number remains unstable because the number of cases is not declining in some local government units.
“We urge the national government, as one possible benchmark for changing quarantine levels, is not to exit MECQ [modified enhanced community quarantine] until at least the R is less than 0.9 in a sustained manner,” he said.
The Inter-Agency Task Force is set to decide on the next quarantine classification after the expected expiration of MECQ on April 30.
“Sa ngayon po, I think premature na mag-speculate kung ano ang magiging classification natin. Ang importante palagi, tingnan yung daily attack rate, two-week average attack rate, at healthcare utilization rate,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said on Thursday.
[For now, I think it is premature to speculate on the classification. What are important are the daily attack rate, two-week growth rate, and healthcare utilization rate.] – Report from Mark Fetalco/AG-jlo