Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 20) — A record high 83% of adult Filipino are hopeful that the worst of the COVID-19 crisis is over, according an April 19-27 survey released Wednesday by the Social Weather Stations (SWS).
This number is three points higher than the 80% recorded in December last year and almost twice as high as the 44% logged when the survey was first done in May 2020, the independent pollster said.
Most of those who expressed hope that “the worst is behind us” were from Mindanao with 86%, followed by Metro Manila and Balance Luzon at 82% each, and Visayas, 81%. Balance Luzon refers to areas in Luzon outside Metro Manila.
Meanwhile, the pollster said those who fear that “the worst is yet to come,” fell to 16% in April from 19% recorded in December 2021.
The percentage of those fearing the worst is slightly higher in the Visayas (18%), Balance Luzon (18%), and Metro Manila (17%) than in Mindanao (12%), SWS added.
Meanwhile, the percentage of those who are “a great deal/somewhat worried” that anyone in their immediate family might catch the virus remains at 88%.
The survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 1,440 respondents — 360 each from Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao. The sampling error margins are ±5.2% for the regions and ±2.6% nationwide.
Last week, an infectious diseases expert said the Philippines is already moving towards COVID-19 endemicity.
READ: Salvaña: PH headed towards endemicity, but vaccinating, boosting should be further pushed
COVID-19 watchdog OCTA Research, on the other hand, has seen a “downtick” in cases in Metro Manila, a sign that viral disease is “nearing its endgame” in the capital region.
