THE Octa Research group on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, noted the further acceleration of the number of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in Metro Manila, Dr. Guido David said.
David said the daily Covid-19 cases in the country’s capital may reach 400 to 500 by the end of June.
He said the positivity rate in Metro Manila has increased to 2.7 percent in the past week, while the reproductive rate climbed to 1.59 percent.
David said the cities of Quezon, Makati, Manila and Parañaque were the main contributors in the increase of Covid-19 cases in the region.
“At this time, nasa low risk pa tayo sa Metro Manila, pero by next week, we are projecting nasa moderate risk na tayo,” David said in a Laging Handa public briefing Tuesday, June 14.
“‘Yung current situation natin hindi pa naman sya nangangahulugan na magtataas tayo ng alert level but this is a possibility within the next few weeks. Of course, decision yan ng Department Health and Inter-Agency Task Force,” he added.
Amid the possible resurgence of Covid-19 cases in the country, David urged the public to be responsible enough in protecting themselves from contracting the virus by observing the minimum health protocols, especially the wearing of face masks, as well as the maintenance of physical distancing.
He said lessening the capacities of transportation and establishments may also help in preventing the further spread of the virus.
"I-hold off muna ang pagbabalik ng mga tao. Sa June 15, balita ko, maraming work-from-home ang babalik na sa onsite yung work. Baka pwede i-reconsider rito ng offices para at least mabawasan ang capacity sa office," said David.
“(For face-to-face classes) ’yung timing kasi na mejo tumataas ang cases. Kung August magsisimula ang classes, I am expecting by that time tapos na ‘yung possible surge na nakikita natin ngayon. Pero kung mga June na sila mag-start baka pwede at least ipush back nila mga one month or so, that is my personal suggestion. If hindi naman, we should have proper protocols in place para sa mga studyante natin,” he added.
On Monday, June 13, the Department of Health (DOH) logged 386 new Covid-19 cases, the highest daily Covid-19 cases in the past two months.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier said that aside from the easing of quarantine protocols, which increased the mobility of people, the entry and detection of the highly transmissible Omicron sub-variants could be the driver in the e increase of cases in the country.
The DOH has so far detected five BA.5 subvariant cases, 32 BA.2.12.1 and one BA.4 in the country.
If the cases continue to increase and will affect the healthcare capacity of the country, Vergeire said there is a possibility that most parts of the country, if not all, will escalate to Alert Level 2.
The DOH earlier said that healthcare utilization is the main consideration for the shifting of the alert level in an area.
As of June 13, the non-intensive care bed utilization in the country is at 20.3 percent, while the intensive care units were 16.6 percent occupied.
The DOH said 498 cases or 11.3 percent of the total Covid-19 admissions were severe and critical. (SunStar Philippines)