Endgame no more? OCTA notes increasing positivity rate in Metro Manila

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 22) — The COVID-19 positivity rate in Metro Manila is increasing anew days after OCTA Research projected that the number of new infections could reach its peak this week.

OCTA fellow Guido David on Friday said the positivity rate rose to 14.6% on July 20 as compared to the 14% three days before. He said it's not clear what is driving the change in trends.

"We are seeing an increasing trend again, and projecting 1,100 in the NCR and 3,000 nationwide today," he said in a tweet.

The positivity rate refers to the percentage of tested people with positive results. The World Health Organization has set a positivity rate benchmark of below 5%.

OCTA said the positivity rate in Metro Manila is rising again contrary to its earlier projection that COVID-19 cases could reach its endgame in the region this week.

RELATED: OCTA says COVID-19 may be nearing its endgame in NCR, but not yet in other provinces

David added it remains unknown if cases will peak this week in the National Capital Region.

On Wednesday, OCTA projected that COVID-19 may be nearing its endgame in Metro Manila due to the downtrend in cases.

The group encouraged the public to get vaccinated and sign up for their booster doses if they're eligible to protect themselves against the immune-evasive Omicron subvariants spreading in the country.