OCTA: COVID-19 positivity rates up in provinces

MANILA, Philippines — Several provinces nationwide reported increases in COVID positivity rates in the past week, according to the OCTA Research group.

OCTA fellow Guido David said six provinces in Luzon and one in Mindanao recorded positivity rates of more than 20 percent, which are considered “very high,” as of Oct. 11.

These are Tarlac, with 51.8 percent; Camarines Sur, 46.2 percent; Zambales, 33.6 percent; South Cotabato, 26.2 percent; Cavite, 26.2 percent; Laguna, 22.2 percent,  and Rizal, 21.2 percent.

Positivity rate indicates the number of those who were found infected out of the total tests conducted.

Eight other provinces recorded positivity rates of between 10 to 20 percent, which are considered high.

Bataan logged a positivity rate of 18.3 percent; Bulacan, 17.2 percent; Misamis Oriental, 17.2 percent; Pangasinan, 14.1 percent; Davao del Sur, 13 percent; Iloilo, 12.8 percent; Batangas, 12.6 percent, and Benguet, 10.5 percent.

OCTA said Cebu and Negros Occidental reported moderate positivity rates of 5.9 percent and 7.8 percent, respectively.

OCTA said Bataan, Batangas, Benguet, Camarines Sur, Iloilo, Laguna, Misamis Oriental, Negros Occidental, Tarlac and Zambales logged ”significant” increases in COVID positivity rates.

The positivity rate in Metro Manila remains high even though it dropped from 17.9 percent on Oct. 8 to 15 percent on Oct. 11.

The World Health Organization said positivity rates should be five percent or below to effectively manage the pandemic.

OCTA had earlier projected an increase in new COVID cases in the provinces following a slight uptick in cases in Metro Manila in the past month.