NCR new COVID cases at 91 daily average; reproduction rate at 0.39 — OCTA

The number of new COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) averaged at 91 cases per day from December 6 to December 12, lower than the 105 daily infections reported last week, OCTA Research announced Monday.

“The 7-day average in the NCR decreased to less than 100 for the first time since March 22 to 28, 2020,” OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David said in a tweet.

In its latest report, the independent monitoring group said the NCR also recorded a reproduction number at 0.39,  higher than the previously reported 0.34.

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.

Meanwhile, OCTA also said NCR has an average daily attack rate of 0.64 per 100,000 individuals and a positivity rate of 0.9%, meeting the benchmark of the World Health Organization.

Based on its metrics, OCTA said NCR is at very low risk while the Department of Health (DOH) previously classified NCR at minimal risk for COVID-19.

According to OCTA, Pateros, Caloocan, Las Piñas, Mandaluyong, Parañaque, Marikina, Pasig, Navotas, Valenzuela, San Juan, Manila, Pasay, and Taguig are also classified as very low risk.

OCTA noted that Pateros averaged 0 cases per day with a negative one-week growth rate of -100% and an ICU utilization rate of 0%.

Meanwhile, Muntinlupa, Quezon City, Malabon, and Makati cities were classified as low risk “due to hospitalization.”

The group said its metrics are based on covidactnow.org, a different metric from the one used by the Inter-Agency Task Force and the DOH.

In a disclaimer, OCTA also said the report does not reflect the position of the DOH, the IATF, and local government units, nor is it reflective of the alert levels prescribed by government agencies. —KBK, GMA News