UP COVID-19 calculator estimates how many can be infected in an event

The University of the Philippines (UP) has developed a calculator that can estimate the number of individuals which can be infected by COVID-19 positive individual in an event.

According to MJ Geronimo's report on "Stand for Truth," the UP Pandemic Response Team for COVID-19 developed Event R.

"'Yung calculator na 'yung bahala doon sa mathematics. Lalabas na niya 'yung tinatawag na event R," UP Los Banos Profsesor Jomar Rabajante said.

The calculator assumes that there is a COVID-19 positive individual in every event.  

"[O]n the average let's say may isang pumunta doon na COVID-19 positive, ilan 'yung mahahawa nitong isang 'to doon sa event," he added.

Should the computed R be higher than one, there is a higher number of people who could become infected.

"So kunyari ako, infected ako makahawa ako ng dalawa, 'yun ay ina-assume ko na R ay 2. Definitely, 'yung speed depends on the value of R... mas mabilis 'yung R=10 than R=2," Rabajante said.

"But all in all, lahat 'yun greater than one, exponential," he added.

Watch the video to know more. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News