COVID cases may peak in Metro Manila this week, according to independent research firm OCTA

You may want to take extra care while stepping out the next few days — independent research firm OCTA said that Manila may see a peak in COVID cases this week.

In an interview with CNN Philippines, OCTA research fellow Dr. Guido David said that the peak in the metro could result in about 1,000 cases per day.

The peak is based on the slowing of Metro Manila’s COVID-19 growth rate, which was recorded at 28 percent this week compared to last week’s 41 percent.

David clarified that the peak is not guaranteed to happen this week, but “it’s just a possibility because we’re seeing a slowing down of the growth rate. It has decreased already to 20 or so percent.”

In a separate tweet, David said that the National Capital Region’s positivity rate as of July 12 was at 12.6 percent. Meanwhile, he advised nearby provinces with positivity rates of 20 percent upwards to exercise caution.

Positivity rates in select areas in the PH. NCR positivity rate as of July 16 was 12.6%, up from 10.9% as of July 9. Especially In provinces where positivity rates are very high (above 20%), the public is strongly advised to practice necessary caution to prevent Covid infection. pic.twitter.com/tVWwJPVFTD

— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) July 18, 2022

On Sunday, the country recorded 2,560 new infections on Sunday, the fourth consecutive day that cases had reached 2,000.