THE Octa Research Group has recorded a “significant” increase in the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) positivity rate in South Cotabato and Misamis Oriental over the past week, its fellow Dr. Guido David said Monday, February 27, 2023.

From 42.8 percent on February 18, David said the Covid-19 positivity rate in South Cotabato went up to 13 percent as of February 25, while from 4.3 percent to 6.5 percent in Misamis Oriental.

The Octa also noted an increase in the Covid-19 positivity rate in Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Davao del Sur, Iloilo, Pampanga and Pangasinan although it remains under “very low” risk.

In the National Capital Region, the positivity rate had a “negligible decrease” from 1.7 percent on February 18 to 1.6 percent as of February 25.

As of February 26, the country has a total Covid-19 caseload of 4,076,237 with 66,097 deaths.

The active cases are at 9,327. (SunStar Philippines)