NCR’s COVID-19 daily cases could stay under 3,000 —OCTA

The number of COVID-19 cases reported daily in the National Capital Region (NCR) could remain less than 3,000, the OCTA research group said Wednesday.

In an interview on Balitanghali, Dr. Guido David, however, clarified that the projections could still change as the trend is not yet clear.

“We’ll have to see within the next few days. But based on our preliminary forecast or projection, ang nakikita natin mako-contain naman ‘yung number of cases na hindi na siya lalampas ng 3,000 (we are seeing that the figure will not exceed 3,000 cases),” David said.

"Kung gaano siya kabilis ma-control it will depend doon sa makikita nating trend kasi medyo mahirap yung kalaban natin, Delta variant. so hindi pa talaga natin masasabi talaga kung sapat na yung dalawang linggo [ng ECQ]," he added,

(As to how soon we can control it will depend on the trend because the Delta variant is a tough opponent. So we really can't tell if the two-week ECQ is enough.)

NCR will remain under an enhanced community quarantine until August 20 amid the threat of the more contagious Delta variant.

In its latest report, OCTA said the reproduction number in NCR is now at 1.79, which means there is continued contagion of the virus.

For the whole Philippines, new infections rose by 23%  from 7,195 to 8,850. The country's average daily attack rate is at 8.14 with a 65% occupancy rate for ICU beds.

The country was once again classified as a high-risk area for COVID-19 as cases nationwide rose by 47% in the last two weeks

According to Guido, the increase in COVID-19 cases should not be blamed on the relaxation of quarantine restrictions.

“Hindi dahil sa pagluwag kasi nagluwag tayo noon. Umabot na tayo ng GCQ pero nag-higpit na tayo. GCQ na tayo with heightened restrictions kaysa nung nakaraan,” Guido said.

(It's not about the relaxation. We already relaxed it before. We've already gone down to a GCQ although with heightened restrcitions.)

“It is unlikely na dahil ‘yan sa pagluluwag. Ang dahil diyan talaga ‘yung variant,” he added.

(It's really unlikely that the relaxing of the restrictions had anything to do with it. It's really more due to the variant.)

Delta variant dominant

Meanwhile, Guido said he believes that the Delta variant is now the dominant variant in NCR.

“I am almost certain na dominant na siya sa NCR. I mean walang direct evidence. I’m not claiming may direct evidence tayo,” he said.

(There's no direct evidence yet but I am almost certain that the Delta variant is the dominant variant in NCR.)

“But I’m just saying na based doon sa numbers na nakikita natin and doon sa rate of infection, mukhang dominant ‘yung delta variant dito sa NCR (based on what we see and the rate of infection, it looks like the Delta variant is dominant here in NCR),” he added.

On Monday, the Department of Health said the variant has been found in 13 of the 17 regions across the Philippines.

DOH data showed that 146 local cases of the variant were recorded in NCR.

Meanwhile, the Philippines has logged 1,676,156 confirmed cases, of which 1,567,920 have recovered and 29,220 have died. -MDM, GMA News