Reproduction number of COVID-19 nationwide decreases: OCTA

According to a report by the OCTA Research Group, the reproduction number of COVID-19 continues to decline nationwide.

According to the group, from June 21 to 27, the reproduction number was only 0.92, which is essentially less than 1 to slow down further the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

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But in the National Capital Region (NCR), the reproduction number rose slightly to 0.80 from 0.71.

The average daily cases in Metro Manila dropped by 9 percent again last week.

From 731 on June 14 to 20, it was only 667 in the last 7 days.

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Outside Metro Manila, Davao City is still the leading area with more than 30 cases per day. The city’s average daily cases have even increased by 5 percent.

Concerns also continue to rise in the number of illnesses in other areas.

In Motiong, Samar, health workers are already complaining after 16 of them tested positive for COVID-19.

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But according to Dr. Katerina Abiertas, municipal health officer of Motiong, the condition of the health workers was not bad because they were vaccinated against COVID-19.

Reproduction number of COVID-19 nationwide decreases: OCTA

According to Abiertas, he hopes to help health workers who are positive for COVID-19 and other health workers in various parts of the country.

“Gusto sana natin na mabigyan ang mga COVID-positive na health care workers kahit COVID care kit sana, na may pulse oximeter, thermometer, basic meds,” said Abiertas.

Another recommendation of the OCTA Research Group is to be prepared for the more contagious Delta variant of the virus.

This includes extending testing, isolation, and biosurveillance nationwide and speeding up vaccination with NCR Plus 8 Plus 10.

According to Fr. Nicanor Austriaco of OCTA, if the Delta variant does not spread in the country, it is possible to achieve herd immunity in NCR Plus 8 by Christmas.

“Our hope that we will reach herd immunity at least in the NCR Plus 8 by Christmas is reasonable,” Austriaco said in an interview with Teleradyo.

NCR Plus 8 consists of NCR, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao, Bulacan, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Pampanga, and Rizal.

As of Monday, the Department of Health recorded 5,604 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 for a total of 1.4 million, of which 52,029 were active cases or still ill.

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