OCTA: COVID-19 reproduction number in NCR up to 1.06

The reproduction number in the National Capital Region (NCR) has increased to 1.06, the first time it went over 1 since April 18, according to the OCTA Research group on Tuesday.

A reproduction number of one or higher is an indication of the continuous transmission of the virus.

In its latest report, OCTA said the average daily new cases in NCR increased by 11% to 701 from July 13 to July 19, breaking the daily average of less than 700 over the past four weeks.

“This uptick in the NCR is a cause for concern but not yet a cause for alarm, as it is still too early to determine if this will continue to an increasing trend,” it said.

OCTA said Manila and Makati cities both recorded high reproduction numbers ranging between 1.1 and 1.4.

“This indicates an increasing trend in new cases in these two LGUs. Manila had a one-week growth rate of 35% while Makati had a one-week growth rate of 29%,” it said.

Other local governments with significant one-week growth rates include Valenzuela, Pasay, Marikina, and Parañaque.

Areas of Concern

According to OCTA, outside NCR, Mariveles remained “very high risk” for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Davao City, Cebu City, Bacolod, Iloilo City, Makati, Cagayan de Oro, Baguio City, General Santos, Laoag, Lapu Lapu, and Butuan were considered “high risk.”

The group noted that Manila and Laoag had a significant increase in new daily cases while Cebu City, Laoag, Lapu Lapu, and Mariveles had very high infection rates.

Laoag and Mariveles also recorded high incidence rates, which refers to the number of new daily cases per 100,000 population.

Earlier, the Department of Health said that eight cases of the more transmissible Delta variant tested positive after retesting, one of which was detected in Manila.

The Philippines has logged a total of 1,513,396 confirmed cases. Of this, 47,561 are active, 1,439,049 have recovered, and 26,786 have died.  —KBK, GMA News