Quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila and its four neighboring provinces are likely to be further relaxed due to the declining number of COVID-19 cases, the Palace said Thursday.
However, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that there are still a lot of factors that should be considered before restrictions in the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus bubble can be eased.
“There’s a likelihood that the quarantine classifications might be relaxed on the basis of the formula but subject to the recommendation of Metro Manila [that] any further reopening should be gradual,” he said.
In an online press briefing, Roque said the OCTA Research team continues to see a decline in COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila, with more than 1,000 cases per day and the reproduction number declining to 0.53.
Roque also cited declines in the average COVID-19 daily attack rate, the two-week growth rate, and hospital occupancy throughout the country.
“Technically, the numbers suggest the further easing of restrictions but there are many things to consider," Roque said.
The President may announce the new quarantine classifications on or before May 31, Roque said.
Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal are under a general community quarantine (GCQ) but with heightened restrictions until the end of the month.
In the same press briefing, Roque announced that President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the additional P5 billion allocation for the repatriation of overseas Filipino workers.
This developed after Duterte vowed Monday to expedite the return of Filipino workers who lost their jobs abroad due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Roque also thanked the House of Representatives for passing on second reading the Bayanihan to Arise as One bill or the Bayanihan 3 on Tuesday.
Roque said Bayanihan 3, which contains a P401 billion stimulus package to provide more aid to Filipinos amid the pandemic, would make it easier for the government to tap more funds in case it needs a supplemental budget.
In its latest report, the OCTA Research group said the average number of new COVID-19 infections in Metro Manila went down 23 percent to 1,023 in the past week, with an average daily attack rate of 7.41.
NCR has improved from being a high-risk to moderate-risk area for COVID-19, the group said.
The positivity rate in the region decreased to 10 percent from May 19 to 25, slightly higher than the target of less than 5 percent.
The reproduction number was recorded at 0.52 over the past week, OCTA said.
A reproduction number of one or higher is an indication of the continuous transmission of the virus.
OCTA said the healthcare utilization rate in NCR was at 42 percent while ICU occupancy was at 57 percent.
Quezon City reported the highest number of new COVID-19 cases among the local government units across the country from May 20 to 26, with 250 new cases per day.
This was followed by Zamboanga City with 109 new cases and Manila with 107.
Meanwhile, San Fernando in Pampanga, Santa Rosa in Laguna, and Marikina reported the least number of new cases per day with 34, 32, and 31, respectively.
OCTA observed that Malabon and Caloocan had recorded the lowest average daily attack rates of 3.57 and 4.89, respectively.
“Outside the bubble, Zamboanga City had the second-highest number of new cases, although its trend is now decreasing,” it said.
But OCTA observed significant one-week growth rates in the cities of Davao, Puerto Princesa, General Santos, Butuan, and Cebu.
The Philippines logged 6,483 new COVID-19 cases Thursday, bringing the total number of infections to 1,200,430, as six laboratories failed to submit data on time, the Department of Health (DOH) reported.
The death toll climbed to 20,379 with 210 new fatalities, the highest daily deaths recorded since May 4 this year.
The DOH also announced that 4,335 more patients recovered from the illness, bringing the total to 1,131,942.
Active cases rose slightly to 48,109. Of the active cases, 92.7 percent were mild, 2.2 percent were asymptomatic, 2.1 percent were severe, 1.6 percent were critical, and 1.47 percent were moderate.
Data also showed that 59 percent of the country’s intensive care unit beds are in use while 38 percent of the mechanical ventilators are occupied.
In the National Capital Region (NCR), 57 percent of the ICU beds are being utilized while 38 percent of the mechanical ventilators are in use.
The OCTA Research group earlier said the average number of new COVID-19 infections in NCR decreased by 23 percent to 1,023 in the past week.
Also on Thursday, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos said Metro Manila mayors are likely to recommend a higher limit on religious gatherings.
Local officials in the capital region earlier allowed religious gatherings to fill up to 30 percent of a venue's capacity. Abalos said this could go up to 50 percent.
