The OCTA Research Group has identified 6 provinces that are emerging Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) hotspots.
The provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Batangas, Cavite, Rizal and Negros Occidental have been reported to hold a reproduction number higher than 1 which means that more than 1 individual can be infected for every positive COVID-19 patient.
According to the group, if the number of COVID-19 cases continue to increase in the said areas, the National Capital Region (NCR) will have a hard time maintaining its decreasing number of cases.
“We’re calling on the NTF and the IATF to start monitoring these places because the situation could get serious if they’re left unabated. If we don’t manage the cases there, we won’t be able to sustain the declining numbers in the NCR.” OCTA Research Group Professor Ranjit Rye urged.
The group is also denouncing the tightened physical distancing in public transportation, “We’re urging the DOTr to rethink its position on this issue and to privilege health and safety over any other issue as far as the decision for public transportation is concerned.”
Report from Mark Fetalco
