The OCTA Research Group is appealing to local governments to tighten border control to prevent a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country.
The latest study of the group indicated that the reproduction number of COVID-19 in the National Capital Region (NCR) has been higher than 1 for two weeks and the trend of cases increased from the 370 average last December 6 to 12 to 428 of the following week.
“Tumaas ‘yung reproduction number kasi nag-increase ‘yung mobility, social distancing lumiit, and then dumarami mga mass gatherings (The reproduction number increased because mobility increased, social distancing was shortened, and there were more mass gatherings),” Prof. Guido David explained.
Since most of the newly recorded cases are from the NCR, the nationwide reproduction number also rose to 1.03 from 0.98 in less than a week. The number of new cases per day also grew from 1,367 between December 7 to 13 to 1,484 in the following week.
It has also been two days that the newly recorded cases in the country are estimated at more than 1,700, according to the Department of Health (DOH).
The group said the surge can be prevented with the cooperation of the public and the government.
Aside from boosting healthcare capacity, they are asking concerned local governments to implement localized lockdown and tighten border controls to prevent transmission among provinces. The appeal was also directed at airports and ports amid the reported more contagious strain of the virus in the United Kingdom. – Report from Mark Fetalco
