COVID positivity rate declines
THE WEEKLY rate of Filipinos in Metro Manila testing positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19) has dropped to 17.4% as of Monday, from 20.1% a week earlier, the OCTA Research Group, Inc. said.
In an X post, OCTA Research fellow Fredegusto “Guido” P. David said he expects 350 to 400 new COVID cases on Tuesday.
Last Monday, the Department of Health (DoH) reported 502 new COVID cases nationwide, with 154 being detected in Metro Manila. The agency also reported 316 recoveries among the 6,138 active cases.
Earlier, Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa eased public worries about the uptick in cases during the holidays, saying there was a minimal increase but added that the elderly and those with comorbidities were most at risk of contracting the virus.
He said in December that the DoH is not keen on bringing back the mask mandate, but reminded those who are at risk of the virus to wear masks in crowded places. — John Victor D. Ordoñez