OCTA Research: COVID-19 cases to reach close to 500,000 as Christmas festivities start

The number of COVID-19 cases in the country will reach close to 500,000 by the end of the year, Dr. Guido David of OCTA Research said Monday.

Interviewed over Dobol B sa News TV, David said their projection, due in a few days, is because of the looming Christmas celebrations after nine months and counting in quarantine.

“Iyong dati naming projection, by the end of he year we will have 470,000 to 500,000 COVID-19 cases. Mukhang hindi naman tayo aabot ng 500,000,” David said in a Dobol B sa News TV interview.

“‘Yung dating trajectory na 475,000 COVID-19 cases, ngayon close to 500,000 cases na ‘yung bagong projection. Nag-increase kasi ng mobility sa Metro Manila. At kahit hindi mo tignan ang datos, tignan mo sa labas, maraming tao. Sa mall, sa Divisoria, mga family gathering, kumakain sa labas, may pagtitipon-tipon,” David added.

David said people can still celebrate Christmas, albeit in a muted fashion.

“Siyempre, matagal na hindi lumalabas, lalo ang mga bata. Pero let us do our part. Malapit naman na tayo maka-recover,” David said.

“We can have limited celebrations,” he added.

The Philippines has recorded 449,400 COVID-19 cases so far. Of this number, 418,687 recovered while 8,733 died. The number of active COVID-19 cases is 21,980. — RSJ, GMA News