The downtrend in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infections could be attributed to the public’s hybrid immunity against the disease, an infectious disease expert said Thursday.

This, after the positivity rate or the number of individuals testing positive for Covid-19 in the National Capital Region went down to 7.8 percent, the lowest in the past four months.

“We also have developed some form of population immunity, nakukuha na natin dun sa na-infection naka-develop na ng mga antibody against BA.5 at dun naman sa mga kumpleto ang bakuna at na-booster tuloy-tuloy rin ang protection (we get it from those who got infected and have developed antibodies against BA.5 and from those vaccinated and received booster),” Dr. Rontgene Solante said in a televised public briefing.

The country has overcome the “worst of BA.4 and BA.5 sub variants wave” and its hospital utilization rate has remained low, he added.

Currently, the country’s average daily cases range from 1,000 to 1,500 unlike three months ago when it reached over 2,000 infections.

On Nov. 9, the country recorded 1,241 new cases which brought the overall tally to 4,012,868.

Apart from the NCR, decrease in cases was seen in highly populated cities like Bacolod, Cebu, Davao, and Iloilo.

When asked about the possible effect of the All Saints’ Day celebration on the Covid-19 numbers, Solante said it would manifest on the second or third week of November as the incubation of the virus takes seven to 10 days.

“It’s difficult to predict kung ano mangyayari sa atin sa December because sa maraming factor na tayong kino-consider, isa diyan is sana hindi makapasok ang bagong subvariants ng Omicron gaya ng BQ.1 (what will happen to us in December because we’re considering many factors, one is for the new sub variants of Omicron like BQ.1 not to enter the country),” he said.

Solante advised the public not to be complacent in December and to continue wearing face masks during Christmas gatherings especially indoors to avoid virus transmission. (PNA)