Back To Alert Level 2 In NCR? DOH Says It’s Possible Due To Increase In COVID Cases

The Department of Health (DOH) is not discounting the possibility of escalating the alert level in the National Capital Region if the number of COVID-19 cases in the NCR continues to increase.

In a statement, the DOH said on Monday, June 13, there are parameters for COVID that are closely observed in the agency’s deciding the appropriate alert level status in an area.

It underscored that placing NCR under Alert Level 2 from the current Alert Level 1 is “dependent on the metrics” – such as the number of new cases and health care utilization rate – under the guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

“The DOH is continuously monitoring all these metrics. As long as the admissions and severity of cases in the hospitals do not affect our health care utilization rate, Alert Level 1 is still in effect,” it noted.

But the DOH underscored that everyone should “be mindful that continuing increases in the cases might lead to escalation of the alert level.”

According to DOH, the NCR can stay at Alert Level 1 by continuing to wear the “B-est fitted mask, I-solate when sick, D-ouble up protection through vaccination and boosters, and ensure good A-irflow” or the so-called BIDA strategy.

“All individuals who have yet to be vaccinated should do so as soon as possible, and once eligible – get boosted, as immunity wanes over time,” the agency added.

Too early to say

For Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, it is too early to say if Metro Manila could shift to a stricter Alert Level 2.

“We have already learned by now that mild COVID cases and low ICU utilization rate should not lead to escalating the alert level. We need to sustain economic recovery,” he said.

Lopez’s comment comes as Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said placing Metro Manila under Alert Level 2 remains a possibility should COVID cases continue to go up.

Under Alert Level 2, casinos, horse racing, cockfighting and operation of cockpits, lottery and betting shops, and other gaming establishments are not allowed to operate except as may be authorized by IATF or the Office of the President.

Meanwhile, business establishments are allowed to operate at a maximum of 50 percent indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals and those below 18 years of age, even if un-vaccinated, and at 70 percent outdoor venue capacity.

Uptick

A total of 308 new COVID cases were recorded last Sunday, June 12, the highest since April 20, according to the DOH COVID-19 Tracker.

Based on DOH data, total confirmed cases reached 3,693,222 while active cases were pegged at 2,018 as of June 12. On the other hand, deaths remained at 60,461 while recoveries were placed at 3,629,843.

In terms of weekly figures, 1,682 new infections were reported from June 6 to 12, about 30 percent higher than those recorded from May 30 to June 5.

Meanwhile, the daily average number of new COVID infections is 240.

Data showed there were five recent COVID deaths while eight new patients were in severe and critical conditions. Currently, there are 498 severe and critical cases in the country with 345 occupying ICU beds.

On the other hand, there are 3,188 COVID patients occupying COVID beds, 20.3 percent of the 15,706 total COVID beds allocated nationwide.

According to infectious disease expert Rontgene Solante of the San Lazaro Hospital, the increase is “not something to worry about” as long as hospitals are not overwhelmed with COVID patients.

“It’s not something to be concerned about. We know how to control it and we have had experience before with more virulent and more highly transmissible ‘variant of concern’ like the Delta and the Alpha variants,” he said in a “Laging Handa” public briefing.

Solante noted that the uptick in cases could be expected because the Omicron subvariants B.A.2.12.1, B.A.4 and B.A.5 have already been detected in the country. He underscored the need to monitor cases and most importantly, “maintain our mask mandate and health protocols.”

Solante also said now is not the time to lift the public state of emergency status of the COVID pandemic, as it “is something that gives us more leeway to implement strategies that prevent the spread of cases.”

“With the threat of the variants of concern especially these three variants globally rising now in prevalence, I think this is not the right time yet to lift the public state of emergency,” he noted. – With Louella Desiderio