MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila’s COVID-19 positivity rate further decreased to 19.9 percent as of May 30, from the previous week’s 24.4 percent, said Octra Research fellow Guido David on Thursday.

According to David, the present rate is now categorized as “moderate-risk” for COVID-19.

“COVID-19 hospital beds occupied decreased slightly over the same period, remaining at low occupancy,” he added.

Nationwide positivity rate at 23.9%

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 positivity rate in the country also decreased to 20.3, as of June 1, from the previous day’s 21.2 percent.

This rate reflected the Department of Health’s (DOH) daily COVID-19 tally on Thursday where it registered 1,537 new infections, 422 of which were logged in Metro Manila.

“Projecting 1,100-1,300 new cases on June 2, 2023,” said David.

As of June 1, based on the DOH’s online COVID-19 tracker, the country’s total caseload is now at 4,144,351 with 15,418 active cases, 4,062,467 recoveries and 66,466 deaths.

DOH officer in charge Maria Rosario Vergeire previously reminded that increases and decreases in the number of infections are expected due to the lower number of tests conducted and the country’s increased mobility.