OCTA: Up to 900 new COVID-19 cases expected on Christmas

Around 900 new COVID-19 cases nationwide may be recorded on Sunday, Christmas Day, according to the projections of independent monitoring group OCTA Research.

In a tweet on Saturday night, OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said the new infections on Sunday may range from 700 to 900.

This was after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 834 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, which brought the active caseload down to 16,489.

David said that the nationwide positivity rate — or the percentage of people who were found positive for COVID-19 among the total number of individuals tested — was at 10.4%.

DOH’s latest data showed that the National Capital Region still recorded the highest number of new infections in the past two weeks with 5,003 cases.

It was followed by Calabarzon with 2,208, Central Luzon with 1,093, Western Visayas with 595, and Cagayan Valley with 488.

The Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) urged the public on Saturday to prioritize health protocols amid gatherings during the Christmas season. 

"Bagamat maluwag na ang restrictions para sa mga pagtitipon, malaki pa rin ang maitutulong ng pagsunod sa health protocols para maipagdiwang ang Pasko at bagong taon nang may mabuting kalusugan," it said.

(Although the restrictions for gatherings have been relaxed, following health protocols will help us to celebrate Christmas and the new year with good health.)

"Huwag kalimutang mag-mask, hugas, at iwas," the OPS added.

(Don't forget to mask, wash, and keep your distance.) —KG, GMA Integrated News