By Ma. Teresa Montemayor/PNA
MANILA – The reproduction number in the National Capital Region (NCR) over the past week slightly increased to 0.68 from 0.57 recorded in the previous week, the OCTA Research Group reported Wednesday (June 2).
In its latest monitoring report, the group said the figure covers the period from May 26 to June 1.
The reproduction number represents the number of people who can get infected by a COVID-19-positive person.
“The seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases in the NCR had a one-week growth rate of 8% to 1,135, the first time the region had an increase since the peak of the surge, although the increase was slight,” the group said.
It said the NCR had an average daily attack rate (ADAR) of 8.22 per 100,000, “which means that the region as a whole remained under moderate risk.”
Healthcare utilization rate (HCUR) in the NCR was at 41%, while intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy was at 53%.
Both rates are considered within the safe level threshold of 60%, per guidelines of the Department of Health.
Meanwhile, the country’s reproduction number increased to 1.09. Its seven-day average increased by 37% to 6,699 from the previous week’s average of 4,898, which is the lowest daily average since the peak of the surge in April.
“The cause for this reversal in the downward trend is that the NCR Plus did not see a decrease in cases the past week that would counter the upward trends seen in many provinces and local government units outside the NCR Plus bubble,” OCTA said.
Inside the NCR Plus bubble, significant increases in new cases were logged in the cities of Antipolo and Santa Rosa.
NCR Plus is composed of Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal.
The areas of concern outside the NCR Plus bubble include Davao City, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo City, Tuguegarao, General Santos, Butuan, Batangas City, and Tarlac City, which have logged an upward trend of cases over the past week.
The HCUR in Iloilo City and Tuguegarao were above critical level of 85%, while the HCUR in Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga City, Butuan, and Tarlac City were high, above 70%. (PNA) -jlo
