COVID-19 positivity rate reaches 13.5%, DOH assures low hospital utilization

The nationwide COVID-19 positivity rate climbed to 13.5% as of April 27, 2023, an increase from 11.7% two days prior, according to OCTA Research.

This rate is nearly three times the World Health Organization's recommended threshold of five percent.

The Department of Health reported 781 new COVID-19 infections nationwide on April 27.

OCTA Research fellow Guido David projects 900 to 1100 new cases for April 28.

Metro Manila's seven-day positivity rate rose to 13.4% as of April 26, and David suggests it could potentially reach 20%.

The Omicron subvariant XBB.1.16 is considered a possible cause for the surge in cases.

Despite the increase, the Department of Health assures the public that hospital utilization rates remain low and that the positivity rate alone does not define the country's pandemic status.