Philippines’ average daily COVID-19 cases up by 7%

The average number of new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the Philippines rose by 7% to  6,247 compared to last week, according to the OCTA Research group on Saturday.

In its latest report, OCTA said the country also recorded an average positivity rate of 14% over the past week.

On Friday, the Philippines reported 8,562 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily infections recorded since May 28.

Meanwhile, the National Capital Region (NCR) reported a 7-day average of 1,155 this week. This is 35% higher than last week’s average.

OCTA also reported that the positivity rate in NCR rose to 9%.

“Hospital bed occupancy in the NCR increased to 43% compared to 7 days ago; the number of occupied hospital beds increased to 12% over the same period,” it said.

“ICU bed occupancy in the NCR increased to 52%. The number of ICU beds occupied in the NCR increased by 21% from the previous week,” it added.

The group previously said that the NCR could possibly see as many as 2,000 new COVID-19 cases per day by next week.

OCTA said Cebu, Ilocos Norte, Bulacan, Misamis Oriental, Pampanga, Rizal, and Bataan also registered a significant increase in new cases.

The NCR will be placed under the strictest enhanced community quarantine classification from August 6 to 20 amid the threat of the more infectious Delta variant. -MDM, GMA News