SWS: 23% of Pinoys believe gov't data on COVID-19 positives 'probably right'

Only 23% of Filipinos believe that the number of positive COVID-19 cases being reported by the government is "probably right," while many believe it is either under-reported or over-reported, results of a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey show.

The survey, conducted from September 17 to 20, also shows that 31% believe that positive COVID-19 cases are "probably under-reported" by the government, while 39% believe it is "probably over-reported."

The figures show that Filipinos have "mixed opinions" on the accuracy of the positive COVID-19 cases being reported by the government, according to SWS.

The SWS, meanwhile, said there was no consensus on the accuracy of the number of reported COVID-19 deaths.

"34% say it is probably over-reported, 27% say it is probably right, and 34% say it is probably under-reported," the SWS said.

The doubt in government reported data on COVID-19 cases is highest in Metro Manila, the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, with only 14% of respondents believing that the government data is "probably right."

In contrast, the trust in COVID-19 data reported by the government is highest in Mindanao at 31%, followed by Visayas at 24%, and Balance Luzon at 23%.

The more educated groups also have more doubt in the government reporting of COVID-19 cases, with only 18% of college graduates believing that the government data is "probably right." The percentage increases to 22% among junior high school graduates, 26% among non-elementary graduates, and 31% among elementary graduates.

The SWS poll was a probability-based survey conducted using mobile phone and computer-assisted telephone on 1,249 adult Filipinos aged 18 years old and above nationwide.

Of this number, 309 are in Metro Manila, 328 in Balance Luzon, 300 in the Visayas, and 312 in Mindanao.

The sampling error margin is ±3% for national percentages, ±6% for Metro Manila, ±5% for Balance Luzon, ±6% for Visayas, and ±6% for Mindanao.

Based on Department of Health's latest available data, the Philippines has registered 375,180 COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday, October 28. Of this number, 329,111 have recovered while 7,114 died.

The number of active COVID-19 cases is at 38,955. —KBK, GMA News