MANILA, Philippines — The COVID-19 situation in Metro Manila remains alarming as the positivity rate reached 26 percent as of May 17, according to Octa Research fellow Guido David.

Moreover, hospital and ICU occupancy showed a slight increase since May 10.

David said the current seven-day positivity rate is almost the same as the recorded rate on May 16 at 25.9 percent.

“Meanwhile, hospital occupancy in the NCR increased slightly from 28 percent (May 10) to 30 percent (May 17) while ICU occupancy increased from 23 percent to 25 percent over the same time period,” he added.

The independent pandemic monitor’s fellow further noted that the nationwide COVID-19 positivity rate was at 24.1%, based on the May 18 report of the Department of Health that 2,014 new coronavirus cases – 746 in Metro Manila alone – have been recorded.

The DOH’s online COVID-19 tracker indicated that the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country has reached 4,121,513 as of May 18. This figure included 16,504 active cases, 4,038,573 recoveries, and 66,453 deaths.

DOH officer-in-charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier explained that the positivity rate is not the only measure of the Philippines’ COVID-19 situation because the lower number of tests and population mobility cause increases and decreases in infections.