NCR COVID-19 reproduction number down to 0.46 —OCTA

COVID-19 reproduction number in the National Capital Region has decreased to 0.46 from 0.59 a week ago, OCTA Research said Friday.

The figure was also slightly lower than Thursday's 0.47.

Reproduction rate refers to the number of people infected by one case. A reproduction number that is below 1 indicates that the transmission of the virus is slowing down.

According to OCTA's latest monitoring report, the seven-day average in the region also decreased to 1,044 from 1,824 in the previous week, while the positivity rate remained at 8%.

“Healthcare utilization (HCUR) for COVID-19 continued to drop to just 40%, from 47% a week ago, while ICU occupancy also decreased to 52%,” the independent research team said.

The average daily attack rate (ADAR) per 100,000 population in NCR is at 7.40, it added.

Based on OCTA's chart, San Juan, Taguig, and Mandaluyong recorded the highest ADAR at 13.58, 11.68, and 11.46, respectively.

Meanwhile, Muntinlupa recorded the highest ICU occupancy rate at 82%, followed by Makati at 74%, and Quezon City at 62%.

The remaining LGUs were classified as having low infection, HCUR, and ICU rates.

The Department of Health on Thursday reported 4,806 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, pushing the total number of infections in the country to 2,740,111.

According to the DOH, the new cases brought the country's active case count to 65,835, of which 78.7% are mild, 6.2% are asymptomatic, 4.6% are severe, and 2% are in critical condition.

Based on the analysis of the GMA News Research team, the weekly average daily new cases in the country is returning to the pre-surge level.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier said Alert Level 3 in the NCR may soon be lowered if COVID-19 numbers continue to decrease. —KBK, GMA News