Overall case fatality ratio in NCR down by 26% —OCTA research

July 12 ------ The overall COVID-19 case fatality ratio in Metro Manila has declined by 26% as the local government units continue to implement vaccination programs, independent OCTA Research Group said Sunday. In its monitoring report, OCTA said the CFR decreased from 1.06% for the January 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021 period to 0.78% covering June 1, 2021 to July 6, 2021. "In comparison, the CFR in the NCR in 2020 was 2.32%, or more than two out of 100 cases were dying due to COVID," OCTA's report shows.

Among senior citizens, the fatality rate also decreased by 27% or from 5.78% from January to March 2021 to 4.29% from June to July 2021. In the same period, the CFR for those aged 50 to 59 also decreased by 25% from 1.61% to 1.21%. For the 40 to 49 age group, fatality rate fell by 60% from 0.62% to 0.37%. Meanwhile, fatality rate for the 18 to 29 age group remained at 0.13%.

Fatality rate among minors that are not covered yet by the inoculation program, went up from 0.07% to 0.20%. "Currently 1 out of 500 cases below 18 years old die due to COVID-19," said OCTA. According to the research team, the fatality rate among those aged 40 and above may be due to the inoculation program. "The decrease in CFR for ages 40 and above within 2021 may be, at least, in part attributed to vaccination efforts which began its rollout on March 1,2021," the report indicates. OCTA also said the decrease may be attributed to continued improvements in hospital capacity and equipment by national and local government, as well as the efforts of health workers.

Flat trend seen in NCR, Davao, Bacolod

There is also a flat trend of COVID-19 infections in Metro Manila, Bacolod, and Davao City, according to the report. "The trends in the Philippines, NCR and many of the 'hot' LGU are 'flat,'" the report indicates. Also, flat trends were registered in Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Baguio City and Calamba City in Laguna. Moreover, the report indicates that the Philippines logged an average of 5,243 daily new COVID-19 cases in the past seven days.

"This is just 5% lower than the previous week's average," it added. Meanwhile, the reproduction number in Metro Manila increased from 0.90 recorded last April 21, 2021 to 0.91 as reported from July 4 to 10. However, occupancy of Intensive Care Units remained very high in Davao with 94%, Iloilo City with 98% and Santa Rosa, Laguna with 87%.

Source: gmanetwork.com