NCR COVID-19 positivity rate up to 52% —OCTA

COVID-19 positivity rate in the National Capital Region (NCR) has increased to 52%, independent monitoring group OCTA Research said Monday.

This is a slight increase from the previous 50.5% as of January 7, the first time it hit above 50% in the region.

“Napakataas na nito. At this level medyo nahihirapan na talaga ‘yung testing natin. Na-strain na siya at we’re starting to lose visibility of the situation, of the pandemic situation,” OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David told Unang Balita.

(This is really high. At this level, our testing is having a difficult time. It’s being strained and we’re starting to lose visibility of the pandemic situation.)

“Kasi pag mataas na ‘yung positivity rate hindi na masyadong clear if we’re testing enough of the cases na lumalabas,” he added.

(Because if the positivity rate is higher, it’s not clear if we’re testing enough of the cases that are being released.)

David, however, expressed hope that the positivity rate will not rise to 60%.

“Hopefully, hindi kasi, you know, kapag tumaas pa siya beyond 50%, kunyari tumaas to 60%, talagang we will be definitely losing visibility,” he said.

NCR is currently under Alert Level 3 until January 15. Under this alert level, several establishments are 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.

Meanwhile, the OCTA fellow said other regions in the country are also facing an increase in COVID-19 cases.

“Ngayon nagisimula na mag-surge sa ibang regions outside NCR, hindi lang sa Calabarzon pero sa Visayas at sa Mindanao, may pagtaas na ng kaso na nangyayari doon,” he said.

(Now, the surge is starting in regions outside NCR, not only in Calabarzon but also in Visayas and Mindanao. There is an increase happening there.)

The Philippines on Sunday logged 28,707 new infections, the highest number of cases reported since the pandemic began in the country in 2020. —KBK, GMA News