The case fatality rate (CFR), or death rate, of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the National Capital Region (NCR) had a significant decrease since the beginning of the year, OCTA Research reported Saturday.

In its latest monitoring, the group said the fatality rate dropped to 0.78 percent from June to July 6, down from the 1.06 percent recorded from January to March 31, 2021.

“This means there are now less than one out of every 100 Covid-19 cases dying due to Covid,” it said.

In 2020, OCTA Research recorded a 2.32 percent CFR in NCR, which meant more than two out of 100 cases died of the disease.

OCTA Research observed a decrease in CFR for senior citizens 60 years old and above, from 5.87 percent (January-March) to 4.29 percent from June to July 6.

The fatality rate for those aged 50 to 59 is also down from 1.61 percent to 1.21 percent during the same period. The decrease was also seen among those in the age bracket of 40 to 49 where the death rate is down by 60 percent from 0.62 percent to 0.37 percent.

The CFR, meanwhile, increased among those age 17 and below from 0.07 percent to 0.20 percent, indicating that one out of 500 cases below 18 years old dies due to Covid-19.

People age 18 to 39, on the other hand, remained the same at 0.13 percent.

OCTA Research said the drop may be attributed to the improvements in treatment and management of Covid-19, including in efforts of health care workers as well as the national and local government in scaling up hospital capacity and equipment.

“[T]he decrease in CFR for ages 40 and above within 2021 may be, at least in part, attributed to vaccination efforts, which began its rollout on March 2021,” it said.

It noted that the inoculation of Filipinos, especially those in the A1 to A3 priority group has helped reduce deaths.

In the same bulletin, it cited the high percentage of severe and critical cases among people age 50 and above, underscoring the importance of prioritizing and accelerating the vaccination of older people.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the country has so far inoculated 12.9 million people since it started its vaccination rollout.

‘Remain vigilant’

But Vergeire has reiterated the need to remain vigilant and to strictly follow all the health protocols in place despite the easing of restrictions in some parts of the country.

In a Laging Handa briefing, she reported that Davao Region remains under the high-risk category, where there is also a high intensive care utilization rate like in Western Visayas, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and Bicol.

“So, this why we’re warning the public that while we are at low risk based on the parameters that we are using, other regions are still exhibiting rise in cases,” she said.

Vergeire reminded that adult supervision is still needed amid the government’s decision to allow minors to go outdoors.

“Parents have to recognize the fact that the risks are still there for the minors that is why we have safeguards in place, which is to follow the protocols and also to supervise when they are outside,” she said.