DOH says the increase in COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila is slowing down

DOH says the increase in COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila is slowing down
(Source: Unsplash.com)

Here’s some slightly good news: apparently, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila is slowing down. You may be feeling FOMO in the past few weeks because of the stricter lockdowns, but things are slowly getting better. 

As per PhilStarLife.com, the Department of Health (DOH), the number continues to increase, but at a much slower pace compared to the previous weeks. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the average number of cases for September 13 to 19 has decreased by 13%, or 780 fewer cases, from the previous week.

“Our case data showed that cases in NCR continued to increase, but at a slower rate. This is evidence from the positive growth rates over the past month,” said Vergeire. Plus, infection rates in areas in the Visayas and Mindanao have also already hit a plateau.

Vergerie’s statement was backed up by OCTA research that noted that COVID-19 cases in NCR “may have peaked.”

Aside from the 13% decline in week-on-week cases, OCTA also said that NCR’s reproduction number, which refers to how many each infection may further infect, has decreased as well to 1.14 from 1.37 a week ago, moving close to 1, which indicates that cases are slowing down.

“The indications are that the surge may have already peaked in the NCR, but the decrease in cases needs to be sustained before we can establish with certainty that cases have already peaked,” OCTA said.  “There may still be spikes in new cases in the NCR over the next week due to some reporting backlog, but unless the trends change, the daily average in new cases in the NCR should continue to decrease.”

Given this development, there’s reason to believe that things will improve in the Metro and across the nation. However, that doesn’t mean you should live life on the edge, and start planning huge parties just yet.

Get Hundreds of Discounts & Vouchers

Grab ₱100,000 worth of vouchers on food, home essentials, fashion finds and more!

Lush Sleep Body Lotion

DON’T MISS OUT! SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER.

Get weekly updates on new articles and deals.