OCTA: NCR positivity rate could exceed 50%

OCTA Research fellow Guido David on Saturday said the COVID-19 positivity rate in the National Capital Region (NCR) had reached 50% on January 6 and was expected to rise further.

In a tweet, David said the growth in positivity rate has not yet slowed down and could exceed 50% by January 7.

The positivity rate refers to the percentage of people who were found positive for COVID-19 among the total number of individuals tested.

The Philippines on Saturday recorded 26,458 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily tally since the start of the pandemic, bringing the nationwide tally to 2,936,875.

The previous highest daily case count reported was 26,303 on September 11, 2021.

The top regions with cases in the recent two weeks were the NCR with 16,139 or 61%, followed by Region 4-A with 5,387 or 21% and Region 3 with 2,281 or 9%.

“While cases continue to climb in the NCR, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon, cases are also starting to increase in many other parts of the country,” David said.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has raised Alert Level 3 in 14 cities and provinces effective January 9 to 15, while the NCR was also placed under Alert Level 3 from January 3 to 15 due to the steep increase in COVID-19 cases over the past few days.

Under Alert Level 3, establishments will be allowed to operate at 30% indoor venue capacity only for fully vaccinated individuals and 50% outdoor venue capacity, provided that all employees are fully vaccinated.

Face-to-face classes, contact sports, funfairs or perya, and casinos are among the activities and establishments that are prohibited under Alert Level 3. —VBL, GMA News