Metro Manila is now at “moderate risk” for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) from a high-risk case classification, a health official said on Friday.

In a Palace briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the National Capital Region (NCR) saw a 67-percent decrease in cases compared to the previous week.

“Bumaba na po nang husto ang mga kaso at dumating na tayo sa moderate risk classification (The cases have declined significantly and we have now reached a moderate risk classification),” Vergeire said.

She said the NCR recorded an average of 4,398 daily Covid-19 cases in a seven-day moving average, compared to an average of 13,298 new cases recorded last week.

Vergeire also noted that the case rate in the NCR Plus (Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal) has also decreased, with Bulacan and Rizal downgraded to moderate risk classification.

She said the Department of Health (DOH) is monitoring the situation in the Visayas and Mindanao, particularly in regions with the highest cases – Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and the Davao region.

Acting Presidential Spokesperson, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, said the government would make an announcement on the new alert level status of Metro Manila and other areas this weekend.

The NCR is under Alert Level 3 until January 31. (PNA)