NCR's COVID-19 reproduction number down to 1.34 —OCTA

Metro Manila’s virus reproduction number dropped slightly this week even as the region continues to post an average of more than 5,000 COVID-19 cases each day, the OCTA Research group said Wednesday.

OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David said the reproduction number, which refers to the number of people that each case can infect, stood at 1.34 this week, down from 1.39 seven days ago.

David said the National Capital Region (NCR) had an average of 5,854 daily COVID-19 cases over the past week, with a growth rate of 11%.

“I am expecting lower numbers today. For PH, the range is 14k to 18k and my guts says 15k, with 4k in the NCR,” he said on Twitter.

The Philippines on Tuesday reported 18,056 new infections, bringing the nationwide tally to 2,266,066. However, a total of 12 laboratories failed to submit data on time.

To prevent further spread of the virus and the highly transmissible Delta variant, the government will have a two-week pilot implementation of the Alert Levels System in the NCR beginning on Thursday.

Metro Manila would be under Alert Level 4, the second highest alert level in the new scheme, as case counts are high or increasing while total beds and ICU beds are at high utilization rate.

Under Alert Level 4, there will be certain restrictions for establishments and activities that would fall under the so-called 3Cs, which refer to closed spaces, crowded spaces, and activities that promote close contact, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Certain indoor activities will also be allowed for the fully vaccinated. —KBK, GMA News