An OCTA Research group expert said the national government should prioritize vaccinating residents in Metro Manila to slow down the spread of COVID-19.
In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, Dr. Guido David noted that the capital region, considered as the epicenter of the pandemic, affects the situation of the entire country.
“Lalo na limited ‘yung vaccine rollout natin, ang recommendation sana natin ma-priority natin ‘yung NCR kasi nandito naman talaga ‘yung center,” he said.
(Especially that our vaccination rollout is limited, we would like to recommend prioritizing the NCR since this is the center of the pandemic.)
David said the disease could not spread if around 7 or 8 million Metro Manila residents, as well as those residing in nearby regions like Calabarzon and Central Luzon, have already been vaccinated against COVID-19.
The expert added hed immunity could be reached in areas of concern.
David said it would take time for the national government to vaccinate 70% (70 million) of the Philippines’ total population to achieve herd immunity.
David said earlier this month that the daily new cases of COVID-19 in the Metro Manila may reach 5,000 by the end-March as the projected reproduction number may have already increased.
Metro Manila residents need to be vaccinated to slow down virus spread – OCTA
“Actual cases are now beating projections. Reproduction number in NCR estimated to be around 1.8. This surge is increasing faster than we thought,” he told GMA News.
“If Rt = 1.8, then we will have more than 4,000 cases by March 31 (may even reach 5,000 per day) in NCR,” he added.
Meanwhile, the OCTA Research group defended an employers group’s comment that they were only raising alarm with their projections of a possible increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
On Teleradyo, David said that based on science, their forecast is not speculation.
“For planning ‘yan para alam natin na kailangan nating magtulong-tulungan kasi ang sinasabi lang niyan kung wala tayong gagawin, hindi tayo magtutulungan, ‘yun ang aabutin natin,” said David.
“Kung napakinggan kami mga two weeks ago, posibleng baka nagawan na natin ng mas maagang solusyon para hindi na tayo umabot sa ganitong kalagayan,” he added.