Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 3) — The COVID-19 situation in the National Capital Region is further improving as some indicators are already near the levels during the region’s “best week” in December 2021, the OCTA Research group said.
OCTA Research fellow Guido David on Wednesday said Metro Manila’s healthcare utilization rate during the week of Feb. 23 to March 1 is 24%, which is “comparable” with the 19% recorded during the week of Dec. 10 to 16.
Intensive care unit utilization rate was 26%, almost near the 24% recorded in December.
The reproduction number is already lower at 0.22 compared to the best week’s 0.39. The reproduction number refers to the average number of people a COVID-positive individual can infect. A rate below 1 indicates the COVID-19 transmission is slowing down.
However, the positivity rate—or the percentage of the people who tested positive for COVID-19—is still higher at 4% versus December’s 1%, according to David.
As for the one-week average daily attack rate, it is the only indicator still classified as moderate with 2.01, versus December’s 0.49.
David said figures are expected to further improve in the following weeks, which should be coupled with strict compliance with public health standards and protocols, so that the downward trend is sustained.
“Face masks will likely be here for a while, but once cases drop worldwide, and no more new contagious variants emerge, face masks are likely to be phased out gradually,” he added.
Metro Manila and 38 other areas have eased to Alert Level 1 from March 1 to 15 as COVID-19 cases decline.
The country recorded its lowest daily case count this year at 866, bringing the total number of infections to 3,663,920, of which 50,827 are active cases.
NCR this week (Feb 23 to Mar 1) vs indicators on Dec 10 to 16, 2021. Hospital bed occupancy is close to the lowest levels. Positivity rate is still higher but this is expected to decrease further. We must follow health protocols so that trends will be sustained. @dzbb @DZAR1026 pic.twitter.com/0QKjzwJx1T
— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) March 2, 2022
