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The country is once again seeing an increase in the number of cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), particularly in the National Capital Region, according to experts monitoring the spread of the virus.
The Octa Research Group said there had been a spike in the number of cases, ending the downward trend seen in recent weeks.
The reproduction number, or R-zero, increased to 1.03 from 0.96 from December 7 to 13. Daily new cases increased from 1,367 to 1,484.
In the National Capital Region (NCR or Metro Manila), the R-nada jumped significantly from 1.06 in the same period to 1.15 and is on an increasing trend, the group composed of experts from the University of the Philippines and the University of Santo Tomas, he said.
“The period of the downward trend in cases observed in the NCR in recent months is over. The trend has been reversed with significant positive growth in the new cases observed in the region ”, he added.
Quezon City had the highest average of new cases per day with 107, up from the previous average of 83. It is also one of the local government units (LGU) in the region that has shown an increase in the number of cases. , along with the cities of Makati, San Juan, Marikina, Malabon, Taguig, Navotas, Valenzuela and Caloocan.
The group said that while the numbers are “still small,” the increase in breeding numbers and the increase in new cases at NCR were the highest ever recorded in the past two months, meaning there is a large risk of the virus spreading exponentially. in the capital.
But hospital occupancy in intensive and regular care beds for Covid-19 patients remains below critical levels in 15 of NCR’s 17 cities. Only Taguig and Las Piñas have reached critical levels for intensive care unit beds.
The positivity rate in the region remains at 4 percent, lower than the recommended positivity rate of 5 percent.
Octa said that while the increase was in its early stages, it could still be reversed through intensified testing, tracking and patient isolation.
The group listed the provinces of Rizal, Bulacan, Isabela, Leyte, Pangasinan, South Cotabato and Negros Oriental as areas of concern due to their increasing number of cases relative to their positivity rates.
Fourteen LGUs were also included as areas of concern due to their high attack rate, high growth rate, and increasing hospital occupancy. These are the cities of Makati, San Juan, Marikina, Quezon, Malabon and Taguig in NCR; City of Santiago and Ilagan in Isabela; City of Baguio and La Trinidad in Benguet; Cainta, Rizal and Batangas City in Calabarzon; and Ormoc City and Tacloban City in Leyte.
The group recommended localized closures and stricter border controls to suppress inter-province broadcasts in these areas.
“With more effective inspection and other controls at our ports and airports, this will be crucial in supporting the government’s plans to expand domestic and international travel in the country,” the group said.
He also urged LGUs to issue guidelines to the public and intensify their public information campaigns to promote low-risk behaviors and activities, especially during the holiday season.
“Family reunions should be limited to the immediate family and reunions should also be limited in size. If larger gatherings have to occur, they should be held outdoors (in open-air or well-ventilated locations) to mitigate broadcasts, ”said OCTA.
The research group also asked the public to show more discipline by observing minimum health standards.
“During this ‘new normal’ Christmas, we must all continue our vigilance and be mindful, never complacent and overconfident, as the virus is still here and a clear and present danger to all of us,” he said.
On Tuesday, the Department of Health reported 1,314 new cases of Covid-19, for a total of 462,815.
There were 247 new recoveries, while 66 were added to the death toll.
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