NCR COVID-19 positivity rate rises to 18.9%; utilization remains low –OCTA

The COVID-19 positivity rate in the National Capital Region (NCR) increased to 18.9% from the previous 17.5%, independent monitoring group OCTA Research reported on Friday.

OCTA said the positivity rate, the percentage of people found positive for COVID-19 among the total number of individuals tested, increased to 18.9% as of September 28 from 17.5% as of September 21.

Meanwhile, the reproduction number decreased to 1.10 as of September 26 from 1.28 as of September 19. The reproduction number refers to the number of people infected by one case. A reproduction number below 1 indicates that the transmission of the virus is slowing down.

“The growth of new cases in the NCR may have slowed but cases are still rising,” it said.

According to OCTA, the average daily attack rate in the NCR was considered to be moderate at 7.32 per 100,000 individuals.

“The good news is that the healthcare utilization rate for COVID in the NCR remained low at 35%... while the ICU occupancy also remained low at 29%. The NCR is at moderate risk,” it said.

In a Public Briefing interview, OCTA fellow Ranjit Rye said cases were rising in the NCR.

“When you look at the NCR, Calabarzon, tapos ang ating Central Luzon, nakikita mo tumataas ‘yung kaso natin. Lalo na sa NCR nakikita natin ‘yung positivity rate napakataas po niyan,” he said.

Rye said the increase in cases may be due to coronavirus variants, increased mobility, decreased compliance with minimum public health standards (MPHS), and waning immunity.

“I think all of those factors together can explain why we have a rise in cases and why people have to be careful over the next week or so,” he said.

He urged compliance with MPHS such as the wearing of face masks and hand washing. He also called on the public to get their booster shots. — DVM, GMA News