Metro Manila may be downgraded to alert level 3 in October

MMDDA chairman Benhur Abalos anticipates that Metro Manila will be downgraded to pandemic alert level 3 in October due to declining COVID-19 growth and reproduction rates and high vaccination coverage.

OCTA Research reported that Metro Manila's reproduction number decreased back to 0.94 on September 27, down from 0.98 on September 26.

The 7-day average daily cases in Metro Manila were at 4,083 on September 27, with a one-week growth rate of -19%.

Professor Guido David noted that the decline in cases may be attributed to high vaccination rates and increased public caution, though a single day spike does not change the overall downtrend.

Despite the decrease in the reproduction number, Metro Manila is currently under alert level 4 until September 30.

The country's overall reproduction number was at 0.98, with a case growth rate of -13%.

Dr. Guido David mentioned that the region remains at 'high risk' for COVID-19 despite the declining trends.

David also stated that the goal is less than 3,000 new cases per day in the NCR by the second week of October, though including antigen tested cases may affect this target.