(File photo) MANILA - The OCTA Research Group on Tuesday described the Covid-19 situation in the National Capital Region (NCR) a "severe outbreak", with the average daily attack rate (ADAR) rising to 89.42 percent from January 4 to 10. In its latest report, the OCTA Research Group said NCR's current ADAR is above the threshold for a severe outbreak which is greater than 75 per 100,000 individuals per day. The region's ADAR for the week of Dec. 28, 2021 to Jan. 3, 2022 was only 12.71. Its recent seven-day positivity rate increased to 48 percent from 20 percent for the previous week. Positivity rate is the percentage of Covid-19 tests performed which turned out positive in a certain area or region. "The reproduction number or the number of individuals a Covid-19 case could infect with the virus has decreased from 5.65 to 5.22 which indicates the trend slowed down slightly," the OCTA said. It added the hospital bed occupancy in the NCR has increased to 57 perce
ILLEGAL FIRECRACKERS. Members of the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office look on as a member of the Bureau of Fire Protection sprays water on the seized illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnics in Lingayen, Pangasinan on Monday (Jan. 3, 2022). The firecrackers and pyrotechnics were confiscated by the police from Dec. 21, 2021 to Jan. 3, 2022. (Photo by Jerick James Pasiliao) LINGAYEN, Pangasinan - At least 2,832 pieces of confiscated illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices amounting to PHP33,596 were simultaneously destroyed at the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO) compound on Monday. During the ceremonial destruction, PPPO acting director, Col. Richmond Tadina, said the items were seized during 15 police operations in the entire province during the Christmas and New Year holidays. He said operations conducted were in support of the government's campaign against the use of illegal firecrackers during the New Year revelry. "We will continuously and strictly enforce t
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT. NLEX Corp. is ready to implement additional traffic management measures with the expected increase in traffic volume along North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) this holiday season. The move is part of the tollway company's 'Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko' motorist assistance program. (Photo courtesy of NLEX Corp.) CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga - Tollway operator NLEX Corp. is gearing up for the expected increase in traffic volume this Christmas season. The firm's president and general manager, J. Luigi L. Bautista, said in a statement on Monday that from Dec. 20, 2021 to Jan. 3, 2022, they will beef up their operations along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) as part of their "Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko" motorist assistance program. Bautista said some 1,200 patrol crews, traffic marshals, security teams, and toll lane personnel will be fielded to assist motorists and ensure ef