The Philippines has reached a low-risk status for COVID-19 as the number of cases continues to decrease, the recent data from OCTA Research on Sunday indicated.
OCT Research fellow Guido David reported a decline in the country's positivity rate to 8.6% following the Department of Health (DOH)'s recording of 726 new cases on June 18.
This positive trend follows the previous decrease in positivity rate from 19.9% on June 2 to 18.6% on June 5 and further down to 10.3% on June 17.
According to David, the country may expect 400 to 500 new cases on Monday.
June 18 2023 DOH reported 726 new cases, 0 deaths, 870 recoveries 8861 active cases. 8.6% 7-day positivity rate. 158 cases in NCR. Projecting 400-500 new cases on 6.19.23 #COVID19 #covid @dzbb @DZAR1026 @ali_sotto @dwiz882 @AthenaImperial_ @allangatus @wengsalvacion pic.twitter.com/lr3h8Cdn4K
— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) June 18, 2023
In a separate post, the OCTA Research fellow mentioned that the positivity rate has also decreased in most provinces in Luzon as of June 17.
Metro Manila, Rizal, and Bulacan have all seen their positivity rates drop below 10%, indicating significant progress.
However, David said there have been reported "upticks" in the number of COVID-19 cases in Palawan and Pangasinan.
Covid 7-day testing positivity rates decreased in most provinces in Luzon as of June 17. Palawan and Pangasinan had upticks in positivity rate. In NCR, Rizal and Bulacan, the positivity rates decreased below 10%. #covid19 @dzbb @DZAR1026 @ali_sotto pic.twitter.com/MhaiDj8A2j
— Dr. Guido David (@iamguidodavid) June 19, 2023
Despite the localized increases, he said the overall downward trend in cases across the country is a positive development, signaling a move towards a lower risk of COVID-19 transmission.