The National Capital Region (NCR) has finally achieved the ideal positivity rate recommended by the World Health Organization.
This is based on the latest report by the Octa Research Group indicating that the six percent positivity rate has gone down to five percent, which is considered as the ideal rate by the World Health Organization.
However, the Octa Research group is looking at an upward trend in the daily cases of COVID-19 in the country but has to confirm the cause.
“It is not clear if this increase in cases can be explained by the increase in mobility due to the opening up of the economy– which would be expected – or by the recent resumption of testing by the Philippine Red Cross,” the Octa Research Group admits.
Despite the minimal increase in reproduction number of the country and the National Capital Region (NCR), it remains lower than one. This is a good indication that the spread of the virus is still under control.
“This is not a cause for alarm. This is expected. However, the data aforementioned reinforces the view that the current positive trends in the Philippines and in the NCR can easily be reversed if the government, the private sector, and the public become less vigilant and complacent in the fight against Covid-19,” the group observes.
To date, the areas which the research group considers high risk with COVID-19 include the cities Manila, Davao, Quezon, Pasig, Taguig, Itogon, Baguio, Makati and Caloocan.
The Octa Research Group is still relentless in reminding local government units (LGUs) to implement stricter localized lockdowns in their respective territories. The group also calls on local officials to improve their evacuation strategies to stop the spread of the disease especially with the series of typhoons hitting the country.
– Report from Mark Fetalco
