The OCTA Research Group said the COVID-19 transmission in the National Capital Region (NCR) has slightly declined anew based on its latest reproduction number.
Based on OCTA’s latest monitoring, Metro Manila’s reproduction number or the number of persons that could get infected from a case, further declined from 1.39 on Sept. 2 to 8 to 1.28 from Sept. 9 to 15.
The one week growth rate of cases in the region also declined from 14% to 9% during the same period. The positivity rate or percentage of positive individuals from the total samples tested remained at 25%.
However, the average daily new cases in the region increased from 5,340 to 5,819. The average daily attack rate (ADAR) rose from 38.24 per 100,000 population to 41.66.
The number of occupied hospital beds also increased from 6,036 to 6,247, while intensive care unit (ICU) utilization rose to 1,060 to 1,137.
“NCR has not yet peaked but there is hope that it may happen in 1-2 weeks,” Prof. Guido David said.
Highest new cases in NCR
Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday (Sept. 15) said Metro Manila is still the leading region in terms of recorded new cases on that day.
Duque said around 91% of provinces and cities nationwide are under high risk classification, while 82% are under high risk level in terms of healthcare utilization and ICU occupancy.
“Amin pong paulit-ulit na hinihikayat o inuudyok ang mga ospital at lokal na pamahalaan na maglaan ng sapat na COVID-19 beds, ICUs at mechanical ventilators upang magkaroon ng sapat na kapasidad para sa ating moderate, severe and critical cases,” he said.
Duque said vaccination must continue amid the high case fatality rate recorded among senior citizens.
DOH data showed that the case fatality rate among individuals aged 50 years-old and above is at 4.9%, while the rate for those under 49 years-old is at 0.39%.
More funds
The DOH said it has requested for additional P1.23 billion to increase the budget for special risk allowances (SRA) of health workers. More than P15 billion worth of benefits has been distributed since Sept. 2020.
“Kabilang po rito ang higit P13 billion na special risk allowance at active hazard duty pay. Halos P1 billion para sa meals, accommodation, and transportation, and life insurance,” Duque said. – Report from Mark Fetalco/AG-rir
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