The Covid-19 positivity rate in some areas of the country increased, which is causing authorities to worry about a surge in the virus' spread this approaching holiday season.
With Christmas just around the corner, and Filipinos excited to once again reunite with friends and relatives they have missed from the two years of lockdowns, health officials are anticipating a surge in COVID cases and rising positivity rates all over the country, unless people continue observing health protocols.
Last November 26, the positivity rate in the National Capital Region (NCR) was around 11.1 percent, which by World Health Organization recommendation is very high should only be at below 5 percent to ensure that the spread is under control.
It further rose to 12.4 percent last Dec. 3 based on the monitoring of the Octa Research Group, a significant 1.3 percent added in just one week.
Positivity rate refers to the percentage of Covid-19 tests that came out positive, which means a person is infected with the Covid-19 virus.
Aside from Metro Manila, there are also other areas in Luzon that had an increased positivity rate such as Bataan from 9.7 to 11.2 percent, Cagayan from 18.2 to 21.4 percent, Laguna from 13.1 to 19.2 percent, Quezon with 7.2 to 13.3 percent, and Rizal with 13.2 to 19.7 percent.
The highest increase in Luzon would be Camarines Sur, having a positivity rate from 27.7 percent to 38.8 percent.
The Department of Health (DoH) recorded 1,173 new Covid-19 cases across the country on Sunday, bringing the total caseload to 4,041,023.
Though even with the increased positivity rate, there are also other areas that has a decline of infections such as Albay with 28.5 to 23.7 percent, Kalinga with 23.7 to 20.8 percent, Benguet with 27 to 22.6 percent, and La Union with 22 to 20.4 percent.
The highest decline would be Tarlac with 36.5 percent to 25.4 percent, at least 11.1 percent decrease.
The nation might return to greater restrictions or worse to enhanced community quarantine state, undermining all efforts at returning to normalcy, if people would abandon health protocols with the reduced restrictions in place.
At its high positivity the Philippines might not be able to contain the spread of the virus.
Tags: #Covid-19, #NCR, #PositivityRate