OCTA sees 5% uptick in NCR's daily COVID-19 cases, tags 4 cities as 'areas of concern'

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 2)— The average number of COVID-19 cases recorded per day in Metro Manila slightly rose again after weeks of decline.

The National Capital Region logged a daily average of 686 infections from June 25 to July 1 — a 5% increase from the 654 tallied the week prior, OCTA Research said in its report Friday. The highest daily average recorded in the NCR was 5,534 from March 29 to April 4 this year, according to the Department of Health.

The region's positivity rate — defined as the percentage of all coronavirus tests performed that turn out to be positive — was 6% over the past week, OCTA added.

In May last year, the World Health Organization advised governments that the positivity rate must be below 5% for at least two weeks before considering relaxing movement restrictions.

NCR remains under general community quarantine "with some restrictions."

But OCTA noted Metro Manila's occupancy rates in terms of beds and ventilators for COVID-19 patients are "within safe levels."

Areas of concern

Meanwhile, OCTA tagged four cities as "areas of concern" due to increasing cases and high healthcare utilization rates.

These are Davao City, Iloilo City, Baguio City, and San Fernando in La Union.

Davao City had the highest daily average with 324 from June 25 to July 1, OCTA said.