OCTA: Over 20% COVID-19 positivity rate in 5 provinces; NCR at 12.6%

The COVID-19 positivity rate in five provinces was over 20% while the National Capital Region's (NCR's) rate remained faster than 10%, the OCTA Research Group said Sunday.

In a tweet, OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David showed data that Aklan’s positivity rate increased from 26.9% on July 9 to 31.9% on July 15.

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

Other provinces seen surpassing the 20% benchmark are Tarlac (27.5%), Pampanga (23.5%), Nueva Ecijia (22.9%), and Laguna (22.55%).

“In provinces where the positivity rate is very high, i.e. above 20%, the public is strongly advised to practice necessary caution to prevent COVID infection,” David said.

Meanwhile, David said that the positivity rate in the NCR also jumped from 10.9% on July 9 to 12.6% on July 15.

Aside from the NCR, he noted that Antique, Bataan, Bulacan, Capiz, Cavite, Iloilo, Isabela, Pangasinan and Rizal all recorded a positivity rate of over 10%.

The Philippines on Saturday registered 2,578 new COVID-19 infections, the highest daily tally since February.

Based on its latest bulletin, the Department of Health (DOH) said that active infections also rose to 18,990.

NCR registered 9,294 new cases in the recent two weeks, followed by Calabarzon with 5,057, Central Luzon with 2,092, Western Visayas with 2,055, and Central Visayas with 863. — DVM, GMA News