The increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) may continue despite the localized lockdowns, the OCTA Research Group reported.
Data show that the 719 daily cases on February 22 went down to 474 on February 24. However, the reproduction number of COVID-19 in Metro Manila increased to 1.32 from 1.22.
More than 50 barangays were recently placed under localized lockdown in Pasay City due to an unusual spike in cases. A rise in the number of confirmed cases was also noted in Malabon, Manila, Makati, Taguig, Paraῆaque, and Marikina.
Despite the recent development, 46 percent of adult Filipinos are still unwilling to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Only 19 percent of 1,200 respondents are willing to be inoculated while 35 percent are unsure.
The leading factor on vaccine hesitancy is safety concerns.
The survey conducted by the research group revealed that 58 percent do not trust the vaccines from China while 13 percent believe otherwise. The vaccines developed by Sinovac from China will be the first to arrive in the country.
“Basta nagsimula na tayo ng bakuna, marami pong pipila para sa bakuna, lalo na po ngayon na mayrong mga bagong variants (When we start the vaccination, more will be lining up especially now with the emergence of new variants),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in response to the survey.
Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Director Dr. Gap Legaspi reiterated that the probability of not getting mild and moderate symptom through the said vaccine is 50 and 78 percent, respectively.
“Ang probability na hindi na siya maging severe is almost 100 percent (The probability that the case will not become severe is almost 100 percent),” Legaspi pointed out.
Health experts continue to encourage the public to get vaccinated due to the possible impact of acquiring the virus, including “Long COVID” or the effects of Covid-19 that persist for weeks or months beyond the initial illness. – Report from Mark Fetalco
