Metro Manila sees serious surge in COVID-19 cases

Metro Manila is currently experiencing a "serious surge" in COVID-19 cases, with a significant increase in infections reported over the past week.

On March 16, the capital region recorded 2,231 new COVID-19 cases, marking a 78% rise compared to the previous week.

The reproduction number (R) in Metro Manila has reached 1.96, its highest level since May 2020, and the positivity rate has risen to 12 percent.

The daily attack rate in the capital is at 15.9 per 100,000 people, classifying the region as high-risk for COVID-19 transmission.

Hospital bed occupancy for COVID-19 patients in the metro was at 49 percent while intensive care unit occupancy was at 64 percent as of March 15.

COVID-19 testing in NCR increased by 18 percent to 24,300 tests per day.

Very high attack rates were observed in Pasay, Makati, Navotas, and Santiago City in Isabela.