COVID-19 positivity rate in NCR at 13%, still 'low risk' —DOH

The weekly COVID-19 positivity rate in the National Capital Region (NCR) has climbed to 13% while the national rate stood at 10%, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

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

“Most areas show a sharp increase in cases with NCR showing the steepest increase, now almost at 750 cases per day,” the DOH said in its report.

Independent monitoring group OCTA Research previously said the region’s positivity rate was at 10.9% as of July 9.

Despite this, the DOH said NCR remains at low-risk classification.

The region recorded an average daily attack rate (ADAR) of 4.87 in the recent one to two weeks, while its bed utilization rate and ICU utilization rate stood at 30.70% and 22.16%, respectively.

Similarly, the country remains at low risk with an ADAR of 1.36. Its bed utilization rate was recorded at 23.48% while the ICU utilization rate was at 17.44%.

According to the DOH, 651 or 8.53% of total COVID-19 admissions are severe and critical cases. 

Meanwhile, the Cordillera Administrative Region, the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Northern Mindanao had a positivity rate greater than or equal to 5%.

At present, more than 71.2 million individuals have been fully-vaccinated against COVID-19 while around 15.4 million have received their booster shots. —KBK, GMA News