NCR may report less than 2,000 new daily COVID-19 cases by May 14 –OCTA

The OCTA Research Group on Saturday said the National Capital Region (NCR) was expected to report less than 2,000 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases per day by May 14.

According to the group’s latest report, the current daily average of 2,347 new cases from May 1 to May 7 is 58% lower compared to the peak of surge from March 29 to April 4.

The OCTA Research group said this “shows a continued downward trajectory for new COVID-19 cases in the NCR.”

Meanwhile, the reproduction number in the NCR had dropped to 0.69 from 0.83 while the positivity rate in the region was recorded at 15% over the past week with an average of 21,866 tests per day.

The OCTA Research Group also noted that the hospital bed occupancy decreased to 51% while the ICU occupancy dropped to 69%, slightly below the critical level of 70%.

Despite this, the ICU utilization rate for COVID-19 remained high.

Areas of Concern

The OCTA Research group also observed that the trend in Laguna was not yet stable as it noted an increase in new cases in Calamba.

Cagayan de Oro in Misamis Oriental, Puerto Princesa in Palawan, and Bacolod in Negros Occidental were also areas of concern due to a rise in new cases.

Meanwhile, the hospital bed and ICU occupancy for COVID-19 remained high in Baguio City, Tuguegarao, Cainta, Antipolo, Zamboanga City, and Calamba.

The Philippines reported 1,094,849 total onfirmed cases, of which 1,013,204 have recovered and 18,269 have died. — DVM, GMA News