Metro Manila Evaded Holiday Surge in COVID Cases: Think Tank
Metro Manila sidestepped a post-holiday surge in COVID-19 cases, a research group that is advising the government said Tuesday, an achievement that highlighted the need to keep following health protocols.
The capital region that is home to roughly 12 million people has averaged 400 COVID cases per day since the Christmas holidays and the Jan. 9 Black Nazarene feast, said OCTA Research Group fellow Guido David. The virus is believed to have a 14-day incubation period.
"Hindi natin nakita yung effect ng holiday surge sa Manila, hindi siya tumaas," David told Teleradyo. "Pati yung Traslacion, wala tayong nakitang epekto sa pagtaas ng kaso."
On Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte appealed to the public to keep following health protocols -- handwashing, social distancing, and wearing face masks and face shields. He reprimanded those whose face masks left their noses exposed.
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Authorities have stressed the need to follow these safety measures as the UK variant of COVID-19, which is more contagious, has been detected in at least 17 people in the Philippines, resulting in granular lockdowns.
"Yung level ngayon, hindi siya masyado tumaas. In fact, bumaba pa siya ng kaunti sa Meto Manila," he said. Cebu City, which had turned around infection waves in the past, is now an area of concern, he said.
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On Monday, the Philippines confirmed 1,581 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 514,996, of which 475,422 have recovered. Of the total, 29,282 or 5.7% are active cases while 10,292 or 2% have died.