HOLIDAY UPTICK | Metro Manila has increase in COVID-19 cases but no need to panic, says OCTA

December 27, 2021 , 09:33 AM

By Beatrice Puente

(December 27, 2021) – Filipinos must not panic in the face of rising COVID-19 cases seen in Metro Manila as it moves from very low to low-risk classification this holiday season, the OCTA Research Group said on Monday, urging for vigilance and strict compliance with minimum public health protocols.

Dr. Guido David said the public must wait until the first week of January to grasp a complete picture of the latest pandemic situation, noting they cannot “prematurely react” to the uptick of infections.

“Hindi naman natin kailangang mag-panic pero meron tayong nakikitang pagtaas ng bilang ng kaso sa Metro Manila in particular. Genuine itong pagtaas na ito kasi tumataas din ‘yung positivity rate, so ‘di natin maa-attribute lang ‘yan sa backlog ng data,” explained David on Ted Failon and DJ Chacha sa Radyo 5.

On Sunday, the OCTA Research Group reported that Metro Manila tallied a reproduction rate of 0.85 as of December 23. Its average daily attack rate was 0.82 per 100,000 population from 0.70 on the day prior, while the week-long positivity rate from December 19 to 25 was pegged at 1.41%.

12.27.21 NCR now at low risk (from very low risk) as the 7-day average increased to more than 100 for the first time since Dec 3-9 @dzbb @allangatus @dzrhnews @DZAR1026 @News5PH @NewsRmn @ABSCBNNews @EagleNews @dwiz882 @PhilstarNews @dzme_1530khz @DrTonyLeachon @docbenjisays pic.twitter.com/FkZlAVFmRl

— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) December 26, 2021

Manila, the capital city, saw the largest increase in infections as it logged 60 new cases yesterday, according to David. It was followed by Quezon City with 19 and Taguig and Las Piñas with 16 apiece. Overall, Metro Manila recorded the highest number of new COVID-19 cases at 217.

“It’s possible na ‘yung nakikita natin ay dala lang ng holiday uptick dahil sa mga party-party at social gatherings,” said David, noting that the same scenario happened last year.

But even with the looming presence of the Omicron variant, David expressed optimism that the rising vaccination figures would help the country manage the COVID-19 cases without crippling the healthcare system, citing reports from other nations.

“Kahit magkaroon ng uptick kunwari, kaunti lang ‘yung nagiging severe kapag vaccinated na. Iyan ang malaking tulong ng vaccination—magkakaroon pa rin ng pagtaas ng kaso pero kaunti na lang ‘yung mao-ospital at di mao-overwhelm ang hospitals natin,” said David. “Sana ganyan ang mangyari.”

As of writing, the Department of Health (DOH) has not yet commented on the findings of the OCTA Research Group. But the DOH has repeatedly told the public to abide by the restrictions to prevent more COVID-19 transmissions.

Health authorities said the country has three cases of the Omicron variant coming from overseas as they have yet to detect any local transmission.

The DOH reported 433 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday that brought the active infections to more than 9,500. It corresponds to 0.3% of the total of 2.84 million, including 51,200 fatalities. Hospitals are still at a manageable level with only 17% of intensive care unit beds occupied nationwide.

(PM)

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