Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 20) — Five cities in Metro Manila have not recorded new COVID-19 infections, OCTA Research said on Wednesday.
In a Twitter post, OCTA Research fellow Guido David cited data from the Department of Health showing zero new cases in the cities of Malabon, Muntinlupa, Navotas, Pasig, and Valenzuela as of April 19.
Of all cities in the National Capital Region, Pasay City reported the highest number of additional cases at 24. This was followed by Taguig with 10 cases, then Manila with nine.
Quezon City logged seven, Caloocan has six, Makati has four, Parañaque has three, followed by Las Piñas with two cases.
Meanwhile, Mandaluyong, Marikina, San Juan, and Pateros only recorded one additional infection.
In a separate post, David said NCR is still the region with the highest average daily attack rate of 0.60, still below 1, which is under a very low risk category.
He also told CNN Philippines’ New Day that he is seeing a slight uptick in Mindanao areas like South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, but the numbers are not yet a cause of concern.
“The increase itself may be noticeable but the actual number of cases in these areas are still very little,” he said. “We still consider them very low risk as of this time.”
David also acknowledged Health Secretary Francisco Duque’s warning that another spike in COVID-19 cases may happen in mid-May if compliance with minimum public health protocols declines.
He noted that aside from complacency in health protocols, a surge could likely happen with waning immunity, when people refuse to get vaccinated or get their booster shot, or when new subvariants enter the country.
READ: DOH: Active COVID-19 cases may reach 332k mid-May if compliance with health protocols declines
“But to be honest with the data right now, we’re not looking any increase in cases,” David said. “That could change very quickly so that’s why we monitoring the numbers very closely and we advise the public to continue wearing masks and, you know, getting boosters and getting vaccines.”
New NCR cases by LGU on 4.19.22 extracted from https://t.co/GUBv99qV6l. @dzbb @dzrhnews @allangatus @DZAR1026 @NewsRmn @ali_sotto @dwiz882 @News5PH @ABSCBNNews @roribabyko @dzme_1530khz @manilabulletin @pinas_city @CarolynBonquin pic.twitter.com/8Hmmrmv2zl
— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) April 19, 2022
