OCTA: NCR Plus 8 COVID-19 cases continue to drop

Independent research group OCTA observed a continuous downward trend of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections in Metro Manila and eight key provinces and cities, known as the "NCR Plus 8."

The NCR Plus 8 comprises Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Cebu City, and Davao City.

OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David attributed the improvement to vaccinations, compliance with health standards, implementation of restrictions, and the Delta variant nearing its end in these areas.

All NCR Plus 8 areas had reproduction numbers below 0.9, considered in the "low risk" range, with Cavite registering the lowest at 0.63, followed by Cebu City at 0.66, Laguna at 0.68, Bulacan at 0.70, and Batangas at 0.74.

Metro Manila had a reproduction number of 0.83, Pampanga and Rizal at 0.85, and Davao City at 0.89.

Despite the declining reproduction numbers, the average daily attack rate (ADAR) or infection rate in Metro Manila remained "very high" at 25.05 cases per 100,000 population.