MANILA - The Philippines is reinstating many of the quarantine curbs it has been lifting since October around its sprawling capital region, as it confronts a new wave of Covid-19 infections that may be far worse than what it experienced last year.
Researchers warn that the country may see up to 8,000 new cases a day by the end of March and up to 18,000 daily infections by mid-April, as the coronavirus is spreading by nearly twice its previous pace. We re not trying to frighten people. All we re saying is that s the science. There s no fear-mongering in science, said Professor Guido David, a spokesman for the University of the Philippines-based Octa Research Group.
The Philippines is projected to have 8,000 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) daily by the end of the March, according to the latest projections of an independent research group.
Nearly seven in 10 Filipinos believe the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is over, according to a nationwide survey conducted in November more than a month before the detection of a more transmissible coronavirus variant in the country.
Independent research group OCTA says it is not seeing indications new COVID-19 variants are spreading in Metro Manila, but the situation is the opposite in Cebu City despite no confirmed variant case yet in the area.
A spike in coronavirus cases has been observed in several provinces outside Metro Manila, including those along the northern regions, according to independent research group OCTA.