Metro Manila’s COVID-19 reproduction number up

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila’s COVID-19 reproduction number slightly increased from one to 1.05, the OCTA Research Group reported yesterday.

However, the independent research group that has been monitoring the pandemic in the country said there is no reason to be alarmed.

OCTA fellow Guido David said Metro Manila, despite the increase, remains under the low risk category as of May 20.

“Based on current data, the worst-case scenario we see over the next few weeks is a weak surge in COVID-19 cases,” he said, sharing a graph showing the trend.

OCTA Research said that a reproduction number above one does not necessarily mean cases will surge.

The last two times the reproduction number increased to more than one were on Dec. 24, 2021 and July 15, 2021, during the start of the Omicron and Delta surges, respectively.

Currently, Metro Manila’s average daily attack rate or ADAR remains very low at 0.52 as of May 23 while the daily positivity rate was at 1.2 percent over an average of 11,319 tests per day.

OCTA Research said hospital care utilization for COVID-19 is at 21 percent, which means that overall, the National Capital Region remained at low risk.

Active cases up  anew in Malabon

Almost a week after recording only one active case, the Malabon City government reported three active cases as of Monday.

Two of the patients were vaccinated while one is unvaccinated.

Malabon has recorded 25,456 confirmed COVID cases with 728 deaths and 24,725 recoveries.

The city government also reported that 100.9 percent – or 323,506 out of the target 320,610 residents – were given the first dose of COVID vaccines while 305,402 residents or 95.3 percent completed their required doses.

Also, 75,594 residents received the first booster shots while 1,117 others received their second booster doses.

In Manila, the city government reported that as of Monday, 9,051 residents received the second booster dose.

The city government also said more than 1.7 million people or over 100 percent of Manila’s population completed the vaccine doses.

As of Monday, Manila recorded 21 active COVID cases from Ermita, Pandacan, Port Area, Sampaloc, San Andres, Sta. Ana, Sta. Mesa and Tondo 1 and 2. –  Ghio Ong