Average daily COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila below 100: OCTA

For the first time since March 2020, the average daily cases in the National Capital Region are less than 100, according to the OCTA Research Group.

From December 6 to 12, the average number of new cases in the region was 91.

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Of the 17 areas in NCR, only Quezon City, Muntinlupa, Malabon, and Makati are “low risk,” while others are considered “very low risk,” according to OCTA.

The more infectious omicron variant of COVID-19, which was first detected in South Africa but has not yet been seen in the Philippines, remains a threat.

Although experts continue to study omicron, seen from South Africa’s low reproduction number in October to early November, it skyrocketed to 2.5, also based on new cases of the disease.

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More data is still needed about the hospitalization of omicron victims.

Although omicron may not be as bad as the delta variant, hospitalization is still expected to increase due to the number of patients – something that could further burden hospitals and kill some.

Last week, Pfizer said that having a third dose of their vaccine would supposedly neutralize omicron.

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The government is already studying shortening to 3 or 4 months between the primary vaccine series and booster shot, from the current six months.

Average daily COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila below 100: OCTA

If this continues, the supply of vaccines will not be an issue, said vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr.

“Para at least ma-expand na natin at mapabilis natin ‘yung protection. Because we also received some advice from some experts worldwide, na mas maganda na hanggang hindi pa bumababa o nagwe-wane ‘yong protection, kailangan bigyan na natin,” said Galvez.

FDA Director-General Eric Domingo clarified that the earlier the booster does not mean that the vaccine’s effectiveness decreases.

“Iyon pong mga ibang two-dose vaccines katulad po ng Sinovac, Astrazeneca, Pfizer [at] Moderna, nakikita po natin na nag-uumpisa lamang naman na mag-wane iyong protection at the six month,” said Domingo.

According to infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante, an extra dose is needed after the booster shot has not been said yet.

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