The Philippines has flattened the COVID-19 curve, said University of the Philippines professor and OCTA Research Team fellow Dr. Guido David, Sunday.
David said in an interview on DZBB that the virus’ reproductive number in the country decreased to around 0.95 from 0.99 last week.
“Tinitingnan natin yung reproduction number in the NCR (National Capital Region) and different locations. So now, less than one yung reproduction number. Yung average natin sa Philippines, flattened na [yung curve]. Sa NCR, sa CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas Rizal, and Quezon), flattened na siya, yung reproductive rate 0.95 so pababa na siya,” David said.
(We are looking at the reproduction number in the NCR and different locations. Now, we see less reproduction numbers. Our curve has already flattened in the NCR and CALABARZON. The current reproductive rate is around 0.95.)
“Hindi ibig sabihin flattened yung curve, wala nang COVID cases, mayroon pa. Ang nangyayari pag flattened yung curve, nagde-decrease yung cases natin,” he added.
(Flattening the curve doesn’t mean we no longer have COVID-19 cases. We still have cases. Flattening the curve means our cases are decreasing.)
Philippines has flattened COVID-19 curve – UP expert
The UP expert warned Filipinos should not be too complacent after the Philippines has flattened the COVID-19 curve because it could be reversed “at any time.”
“We have to sustain this trend. Ibig sabihin, kailangan gawin pa rin natin yung ginagawa natin the past few weeks, same thing for the next month, for the next two months kasi pwede pa rin tumaas yung bilang ng kaso anytime na magpabaya tayo,” he said.
David also noted that the positivity rate in the country also went down from 19 percent to the current 12 percent.
“Ibig sabihin, kahit marami ang i-test natin, konti na lang nagpo-positive. Magandang indication yan. Sinu-support nyan yung flattening of the curve. Pati rin yung hospital utilization, bumababa na rin although nasa critical level pa rin, pero at least kung kumokonti na yung cases, mas hindi na mao-overburden yung health facility natin,” David added.
(It means that even if we are testing more people, only a very few are testing positive. It’s a good indication. It supports the flattening of the curve. Another thing is the decreasing hospital utilization, although hospitals are still at a critical level, with the decreasing COVID-19 cases, it would mean that this would prevent an overburden to our health facilities.)