COVID-19 positivity rate up

THE WEEKLY positivity rate for COVID-19 in the National Capital Region (NCR) slightly increased, according to the latest monitoring by OCTA Research.

“The NCR weekly COVID-19 positivity rate went up slightly from 22% on Dec. 19 to 24.8% on Dec. 26,” OCTA Research fellow Guido David said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.

In another post, Mr. David said there will be a projected 250 to 350 new cases of COVID-19 on Dec. 28.

On Wednesday, the Department of Health (DoH) reported that there are 240 new cases of COVID-19, 18 new deaths, and 205 new recoveries. The total active cases reported are 5,657.

Earlier, Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa said the public should not be alarmed by the minimal increase in cases, but reminded that the risk is still high, especially for the elderly or with comorbidities. 

The COVID positivity rate refers to the percentage of people who tested positive for the virus.

Mr. Herbosa had also urged the public to take precautionary measures because it is the “season of respiratory illness.”

“The social distancing and the wearing of face masks, having a cough etiquette, should be done to avoid catching illnesses,” he said. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz