The number of recorded COVID-19 cases has returned to “pre-surge,” the OCTA Research Group said Thursday.
According to OCTA fellow Guido David, the number of cases today does not differ from the number of cases before the Delta variant spread.
With the group monitoring the COVID-19 data in the National Capital Region (NCR) and eight provinces, it can be seen that most of the indicators are heading towards “low risk.”
It is also a big deal that the reproduction number is less than 0.5, which did not happen before.
“This is hopeful because it means the virus is weakening. It’s weakening, especially in these areas,” said David.
“It’s a reversal. There were still surges happening in other provinces, but fortunately we’re able to contain I think almost all provinces are on a downward trend,” he added.
The average daily cases of COVID-19 in NCR on November 3 were 630, down 49 percent compared to the previous week.
The case is also declining every day elsewhere.
In Cebu City, which has also experienced a series of cases, only 15 new cases have been recorded, according to OCTA.
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OCTA says ‘virus is weakening’
“Cebu cases are very low… it could go lower once they vaccinate more people,” said David.
Doctors continue to remind the public to continue to exercise caution in conjunction with the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions.
“‘Wag po nating iisipin na dahil bumababa na po ang numero eh wala na po ang COVID. Nandiyan lang po siya… ‘wag po natin siyang bigyan ng pagkakataon na umarangkada ulit,” said Dr. Aileen Espina ng Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians.
So far, the total number of COVID-19 cases in the country has reached almost 2.8 million.
For David, the total number in 2021 will not reach 3 million.
He also said that it is not impossible that less than 1,000 new cases will be recorded per day.
But it depends on people’s adherence to health protocols and speed of vaccination.
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