NCR’s COVID-19 cases may climb up to 500 this week

The COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region may increase and reach 500 this week, OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said on Tuesday.

During a Laging Handa briefing, David noted that the NCR recorded 434 fresh COVID-19 infections on Monday, with a one-week growth rate of 52%.

“Tumataas ang cases sa NCR. May 52% one-week growth rate. Ang seven-day average natin ay 342. We expect na baka tumaas pa siya maybe between 400 to 500 this week. Actually kahapon, 434 cases, pero baka umabot tayo ng 500 cases in a day,” he said.

(The COVID-19 cases are increasing in NCR, with a 52% one-week growth rate. Our seven-day average is 342. We expect the cases to rise maybe between 400 to 500 this week. Actually yesterday, there were 434 cases, but it might reach up to 500 cases in a day.)

David reported on Monday that the positivity rate in the NCR climbed to 5.9% on June 25 from 3.9% on June 18.

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

Despite this, David assured that these figures are not something to worry about as these are still low compared to previous COVID-19 surges. He also underscored the importance of compliance with the minimum public health standard and getting the primary vaccine series and booster shots.

Metro Manila and several other areas will remain under Alert Level 1 from July 1 to 15 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Under Alert Level 1, intrazonal and interzonal travel is allowed without regard to age and comorbidities. All establishments, persons, or activities, are allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at full on-site or venue/seating capacity provided it is consistent with minimum public health standards.

At least 70.3 million Filipinos or 78.17% of the government’s target population are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Meanwhile, some 14.9 million individuals have received their booster shots.

Commercially available vaccines

Further, David said that the COVID-19 vaccines may be commercially available once the state of calamity in the country ends in September as the emergency use authorization (EUA) will no longer be applicable by then.

“‘Pag natapos na ‘yung state of emergency, ‘yung EUA ay hindi na applicable at kailangan na mag-apply for commercial license itong mga vaccine companies. Kailangan isulong na nila ito kasi may proseso dito bago nila makuha 'yung commercial license bago ito magamit o mabili ng publiko through the private sectors,” he said.

(Once the state of emergency ends, the EUA will no longer be applicable and vaccine companies will have to apply for a commercial license. They need to push for this because there is a process to go through to get the commercial license before the vaccines can be bought by the public through the private sectors.)

In March 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte signed a proclamation declaring a public health emergency during the onset of the COVID-19 transmission in the country.

In September 2021, the state of calamity was extended by Duterte until September 12, 2022 due to the threat of the COVID-19 variants. —KG, GMA News