COVID-19 cases may exceed 25,000 next week, OCTA says

OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David stated that new COVID-19 cases in the Philippines might surpass 25,000 by next week, though unlikely to reach 30,000.

This projection follows the country's record high of 22,366 new COVID-19 cases reported on Monday, August 30.

David noted that the reproduction number in Metro Manila is anticipated to fall below 1 by the second week of September.

The recent enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) has already led to a decrease in the reproduction number from 1.9 to 1.48.

Researchers hope for a further decrease in the reproduction number despite Metro Manila transitioning to a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

David further noted that while the country is "managing the situation better" due to more available hospital and ICU beds, the healthcare situation is worse now than during the March-April surge.