With a slight uptick in cases in the National Capital Region (including positivity rate), there is a cause to be worried. First, there are less people that tend to get tested during the holiday season. Second, since many may have been vaccinated (either partially or in full or even have received boosters), it is not far-fetched that people tend to put their guards down - congregate freely, get lost in the revelry, forget that minimum health protocols need to continuously be observed, and make wise informed choices on mobility at a time of a pandemic in spite of lower cases in the community.

So yes, the numbers are slightly up with the Health Agency announcing 433 new cases based on a little over 25,000 tests with 1.6% positivity and more cases than recoveries for December 23.

There are 137 deaths added today.