COVID-19 positivity rate up in NCR, 7 provinces —OCTA

The seven-day COVID-19 positivity rate slightly increased in the National Capital Region (NCR) but surged to a “very high” level in several provinces in the country, according to independent group OCTA Research on Monday.

OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David said in a tweet that NCR’s positivity rate went up to 7.6% as of November 19, slightly higher than the 7.5% reported on November 12.

Meanwhile, it spiked to 35.2% in  Camarines Sur;  49.4% in Isabela;  20.7% in La Union; and 37.7% in Tarlac. It also climbed to 34.9% in Aklan; 24.7% in Benguet; and 20.9% in Misamis Oriental.

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

“Positivity rates as of Nov 19, 2022. NCR remained about the same at 7.6% vs 7.5% as of Nov 12. The positivity rate increased to very high in Camarines Sur, Isabela, La Union, and Tarlac. Aklan, Benguet, Misamis Oriental also had a very high positivity rate,” David said on Twitter.

In an interview over dZBB’s Super Radyo, David said the increase in the coronavirus infection may be due to the possible spread of COVID-19 sub-variants in the affected provinces.

“Dito sa Metro Manila, medyo nag-plateau na tayo at 7.5% positivity rate pero sa iba tumataas kasi baka di pa nag-spread yung sub variants na kumalat na dito sa Metro Manila,” he said.

(Cases in Metro Manila slightly plateaued at a 7.5% positivity rate but it is increasing in other areas. Maybe this is because the sub-variants have yet to spread there. )

The climate and the recent typhoons may have also contributed to it, David added.

“At tsaka recently nakaranas sila ng typhoon, flooding at minsan nagkakaroon ng uptick of cases pag ganon. Tsaka doon din sa Cordillera Region, mataas din yung positivity rate. Medyo malamig-lamig ang panahon so baka isang factor kung bakit tumataas ang positivity rate,” he said.

(And recently these areas were affected by the typhoon and flooding. Sometimes, cases experience an uptick because of it. And the climate in the Cordillera Region is cold. Maybe that’s one of the factors why the positivity rate increased.)

David also agreed the Philippines may exit the state of public health emergency by the end of the year but reminded the public to remain vigilant in order to prevent the spread of the virus.

“Pwede naman [na umalis sa state of public health emergency] pero di naman nangangahulugan na wala ng virus. Andito pa rin siya pero more of 'yung responsibility, pinasa na natin sa mga kababayan natin,” he said.

(Yes, it is possible for the country to lift the state of public health emergency but that doesn’t mean there’s no more virus. It is still here but the responsibility is now anchored on Filipinos.)

“Ang isang napansin ko although mababa 'yung positivity rate, hindi siya bumababa sa less than 5%. Ibig sabihin, mayroon pang infections na nangyayari…Although mababa yung death count natin the past few weeks, mayroon pa ring tinatamaan na medyo severe,” said David.

(We observed that though the positivity rate is low, it is not easing to less than 5% This means the infections are still there. And although the death count is low, some cases are still somewhat severe.)

“Ang advice natin sa mga kababayan natin, lalo na may mga comorbidity o mga senior, eh talagang pag-iingat na lang,” he added.

(Our advice is for the public, especially those who have comorbidity or senior citizens, to remain vigilant.)

The Department of Health on Sunday recorded 1,063 new COVID-19 cases — the fourth straight day that more than 1,000 new cases were recorded in the country.—LDF, GMA Integrated News