Fatality rate in NCR in past two weeks at 5.4% —OCTA

Case fatality rate due to COVID-19 in the National Capital Region (NCR) has increased to 5.36% in the past two weeks, or almost three times higher than the 1.82% recorded since March 1, 2020 to March 27, 2021, according to OCTA Research Group.

In its April 14 report, the independent research group said while they arrived at the figures with a smaller sample size of 284 deaths and there may be changes once more data are considered, the possibility of an increase in case fatality rate should not be ignored.

OCTA said the overwhelmed healthcare system and the presence of more lethal coronavirus variants were the possible reasons behind the increase in the case fatality rate.

Compared to the percentage before and after March 28, 2021, the researchers have noted the increase of fatality rate from 11.8% to 28.6% in persons aged 65 years old and above.

An increase from 5.7% to 16.4% was recorded in persons aged 60 to 64 years old, and increase from 2.7% to 8.7% in persons aged 50 to 50 years old.

With the significant increases in the case fatality rates in different age groups, OCTA has recommended prioritization of senior citizens in hospital care.

“With a recent increase in case fatality rate to nearly 3 out of 10 COVID-19 cases, seniors should be given priority to healthcare access to be assured they receive timely interventions,” the group said in its report.

They also urged senior citizens who have not availed of the vaccines against COVID-19 to “strongly reconsider” getting inoculated, as they emphasized that risk of death due to COVID-19 is higher than the risk of complications due to the vaccines.

OCTA reiterated that the vulnerable sector must strictly adhere to public health protocols and observe extreme caution in public areas to avoid contracting the respiratory disease.

On Tuesday, the DOH reported 8,571 new cases of COVID-19 bringing the total number of infections to 884,783.

There are also 137 deaths recorded on Tuesday, pushing the total number of fatalities to 15,286. —KBK, GMA News