The OCTA Research Group has identified three cities outside of the National Capital Region (NCR) as areas of concern because of the increase in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases.

OCTA’s data analysis showed that Puerto Princesa had a 78-percent spike in Covid-19 cases; Cagayan de Oro with 75-percent increase; and Puerto Princesa with a 19-percent spike.

“While the trend in the NCR is stable, the trend in Laguna is not yet stable. Specifically, there was an increase in new cases in Calamba. Outside the NCR Bubble, the following are considered areas of concern due to a rise in new Covid-19 cases: Cagayan de Oro in Misamis Oriental, Puerto Princesa in Palawan, and Bacolod in Negros Occidental,” said OCTA in its bulletin.

OCTA Research logged a 21-percent increase in Covid-19 cases in Calamba from last week.

The NCR Bubble also includes the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite.

OCTA Research said the growth rate of Covid-19 cases in Metro Manila is at –27 percent, or second only to Bulacan among the 20 regions/provinces being monitored. The research group added that if the current trend for Covid-19 cases in NCR continues, the region will see less than 2,000 new cases daily by May 14.