COVID-19 cases in Pampanga, Batangas increasing – OCTA Research

The OCTA Research Group urges the government to also focus on other areas outside the “NCR plus bubble” where the COVID-19 case is also on the rise.

For now, only NCR, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, and Bulacan are covered by the bubble where a stricter general community quarantine is being enforced that will last until April 4.

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Dr. Guido David, an OCTA Research fellow, said the data on the COVID-19 case in Pampanga and Batangas is also worrying.

“We are also seeing an upward trend sa Pampanga and sa Batangas. And actually mabilis iyong upward trend nila eh. For example, sa Batangas, their increase was almost 100 percent or I think more than 100 percent, compared previously,” said David.

“So I think this has to be monitored closely especially since they are outside the bubble. And it could be problematic if we contain the virus inside the bubble, pero may kumakalat din outside the bubble. So I think we have to look into this,” he added.

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Although OCTA Research sees a decline in COVID-19 cases in Navotas and Malabon, he said there are challenges in maintaining this downward trend.

COVID-19 cases in Pampanga, Batangas increasing – OCTA Research

“Pero saglit lang iyong downward trend na iyon. The problem kasi is even if localized lockdowns work and nasa downward trend na iyong LGU, because NCR is one interconnected—very interconnected metropolitan area, mahirap i-sustain iyong downward trend because iyon nga, dikit-dikit eh, and other LGUs are still having a surge,” said David.

According to the latest report of the Department of Health, 6,666 cases of COVID-19 increased this Wednesday, bringing the number of infected people to 684,311 in the Philippines.

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Meanwhile, the additional 400,000 doses of Sinovac vaccines against COVID-19 donated by China to the Philippines arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport () on Wednesday morning.

A Philippine Airlines flight containing the vaccines arrived at 7:21 am.

The first batch of Sinovac vaccines, 600,000 doses, was delivered on February 28 and was the first official vaccine administered to  nationwide.

The one million Sinovac doses brought by the government would arrive on March 29.