The OCTA Research team warns that the coronavirus cases in the country may reach to 500,000 by the end of this year due to Christmas festivities.

Dr. Guido David said that the projection is due to the Christmas holidays and people’s fatigue for being on lockdown in the last nine months.

“Yung dating trajectory na 475,000 COVID-19 cases, ngayon close to 500,000 cases na ‘yung bagong projection. Nag-increase kasi ng mobility sa Metro Manila. At kahit hindi mo tignan ang datos, tignan mo sa labas, maraming tao. Sa mall, sa Divisoria, mga family gathering, kumakain sa labas, may pagtitipon-tipon,” David said in an interview on GMA News.

The expert urged Filipinos to celebrate the Christmas tradition in a more muted fashion.

“Siyempre, matagal na hindi lumalabas, lalo ang mga bata. Pero let us do our part. Malapit naman na tayo maka-recover,” David added.