The recent data presented by the Octa Research Group on Covid 19 positivity rate in the country revealed that the National Capital Region (NCR) reported a decrease in positivity rate.
Unfortunately, it can’t be said in other areas outside NCR which have logged a very high positivity rate, among these areas is the province of Camarines Sur in the Bicol region.
In a tweeter post by OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David said that the positivity rate in NCR dropped from 17.9% on October 8 to 15% on October 11.
“That’s good news because when the positivity rate goes down, the number of cases is going down as well. Even if only a few people are getting tested now, the positivity rate is a good indication” David said
“It means we’re headed in the right direction, hope it continues until year end”, added David.
The positivity rate refers to the percentage of people who were found positive for COVID-19 among the total number of individuals tested.
However, David revealed that as of October 11, 2022, the positivity rates are “very high” in seven provinces. The province of Tarlac logged the highest positive rate at 51.8%, followed by Camarines Sur at 46.2%, Zambales at 33.6%, South Cotabato at 26.2%, Cavite at 22.6%, Laguna at 22.2%, and Rizal at 21.2%.
The Octa research fellow credited the rise in positivity rates in these seven areas to the increased mobility of the people, complacency in the observance of the minimum public health standards, and the eased face mask mandate.
Last Wednesday, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 1,623 new COVID-19 cases, while the tally of active cases went down to 24,283 from the 25,004 which was recorded on Tuesday. According to the DOH, the current nationwide COVID-19 tally is at 3,973,091.