MANILA, Philippines — Based on the latest bulletin of OCTA Research, the average daily new COVID-19 cases in the NCR has lessened by 27% to 1,479 for the May 10-16 period and the reproduction number in the NCR for the period was 0.57 while the positive rate lessened to 11%.
Average attack rate (ADAR) in NCR, meanwhile, was at 10.71 per 100,000 — still considered “high risk” by the government.
“[Department of Health] considers ADAR above 10 as high risk while an ADAR below 10 is classified as moderate risk,” OCTA Research said.
Based on DOH guidelines, seven LGUs are classified as moderate risk — Navotas, Malabon, Manila, Taguig, Caloocan, Pasay and Muntinlupa. The Health utilization rate (HCUR) in NCR as of May 15 was 45%, according to OCTA, with an intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy of 57%.
“DOH considers less than 60% utilization as safe,” OCTA Research said.
NCR and the provinces of Laguna, Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal were placed under the strictest enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in late March due to the surge in COVID-19 cases that saw hospitals swamped with patients.
The classification was downgraded to modified ECQ. At present, the four areas, collectively known as NCR Plus, are under general community quarantine (GCQ) with “heightened restrictions” — a classification that will last until the end of May.
Reporting By: Marcus Perez
Source: GMA News