Philippine Coronavirus Cases May Hit Half a Million by End of 2020: Experts

MANILA – Coronavirus cases in the Philippines may reach 500,000 by the end of December, a group of experts warned on Monday, as infections show no signs of slowing down nearly a year after the pandemic.

In its latest report, the OCTA research team said the number of new daily cases in the country had increased slightly in November, but with the holidays just around the corner, the national count could rise.

The group, made up of professors from the University of the Philippines, the University of Santo Tomas and Providence College in the United States, projects a lower estimate of 470,000 and an upper estimate of 500,000 with an average of 485,000 coronavirus cases as of 31 from December.

The surge in new cases across the country, OCTA’s research team noted, was due to community transmission after the government further opened up the economy. They also noted “deteriorating compliance” with minimum health standards as the public grew weary after months of restrictions.

The OCTA research team said that Metro Manila, the Davao region and Western Visayas had reported an increase in new cases daily.

The group also reported an increase in daily cases in Quezon Province, Bulacan, Misamis Oriental and Western Samar. Meanwhile, he praised the improved response to COVID-19 in Baguio City and Cebu City, leading to a reduction in cases.

“To this end, we recommend that the national government consider maintaining the current quarantine classification for the NCR until the end of December,” the group said, “and also consider reclassification to a more stringent quarantine status.” [in] certain areas of the country that continue to have major outbreaks with hospitals already at full capacity. “

The OCTA research team also asked the public to refrain from joining social gatherings during the holiday season.

“We also call on our citizens to avoid not only closed and congested areas, but also to refrain from joining or organizing social gatherings this Christmas season,” the group said.

“There is evidence from Europe and North America that increased social mixing between households is driving the second wave of COVID-19 in these parts of the world.”

The Philippines has so far tallied 429,864 coronavirus infections, with 8,373 deaths. Some 22,867 patients are still sick with the virus.

It still has the second highest number of coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia, behind Indonesia with more than 534,000, and among the top 30 countries in the world with COVID-19 infections.

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