OCTA Research Group has an urgent message for everyone this Christmas: Stay home.
In its latest report dated Dec. 21, the independent research team has noted an increase in the reproduction rate of COVID-19 cases from 1.06 to 1.15 in the capital. Metro Manila is regarded as the primary hotspot for the transmission of the virus.
From Dec. 14 to 20, there was a slight uptick in the number of new COVID-19 cases in the country, which is “a cause for concern,” according to the group. This new rise in cases has put an end to the steadily declining number of new infections we’ve experienced in the past few months.
“It is in this light that we believe, based on our analysis of the data and of the past trends in the NCR, that a surge in its early stages has already started in the region. This is a serious cause for concern,” the group said.
All is not lost (or inevitably infected), though.
OCTA noted that this rise in infections is still reversible and can be prevented with decisive action.
“While the situation in the NCR is still manageable, we exhort the government, civil society and the private sector to start working together to implement appropriate and timely responses to reverse this trend quickly, and to prevent this ensuing surge from becoming full-blown, and potentially overwhelming the health care system in the NCR,” the group added.
The public is also urged to avoid social gatherings this Christmas (no matter how delicious Noche Buena at your kumare’s house looks).
“There is evidence from Europe and North America that increased social mixing among households are driving the second wave of COVID-19 in these parts of the world,” the group continued.
“While we must and will celebrate Christmas, we should do so safely and responsibly, not just to ensure our own safety and wellbeing, but that of our families and our community,” the research group concluded.
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