The Department of Health (DOH) said it already advised the different local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila to further strengthen their COVID-19 responses in preparation should the government decide to deescalate the alert status of the metropolis to level 2.
“Ngayon palang (Right now), lahat ng (all) LGUs were instructed: prepare already because we are seeing less, declining in all parts of the country except that for some na nandyan pa rin sila sa (which are still at) high risk case classification,” said DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in a press briefing on Friday, Oct. 29.
“We were able to advise the DILG and iba pang pamunuan ng ating miyembro ng IATF na dapat handa na lahat (other members of our IATF members that everyone should be ready) to shift into this alert level 2,” she added.
Vergeire said that LGUs should further strengthen the following: implementation of granular lockdowns, active case finding, intensive testing and contact tracing, isolation, and shortening the duration from detection to isolation.
“Mas maluwag iyan kesa Alert Level 3 and 4---kaya dapat handa tayo that we can be able to manage and control kung saka-sakali na may puputok na mga kaso (That's more relaxed than Alert Level 3 and 4 --- so we must be prepared that we can be able to manage and control in the event that there will be an increase in cases anew),” she said.
Currently, Metro Manila is still under Alert Level 3. Vergeire said that Metro Manila remained under moderate risk classification for COVID-19.
“Pag tiningnan po natin ang mga datos ngayon, currently, it's Oct. 29....nasa moderate risk classification pa ho ang NCR. So, ibig sabihin, wala pa sila sa level ng alert level 2 (When we look at the data today, currently, it's Oct. 29 .... NCR is still in the moderate risk classification. So, they are not yet at alert level 2),” she said.
In a separate statement, the DOH said that nine areas in Metro Manila posted a “positive seven-day growth rate.” It did not, however, specify what these areas are.
“The DOH is closely monitoring all areas in the country, especially those who exhibit an increase in figures,” it said.
Vergeire said that the healthcare utilization rate (HCUR) in Metro Manila is currently at low-risk classification.
“Sa ngayon ang HCUR ng NCR is low risk dahil less than 50 percent ang utilization nila both in ICUs and ward beds (Right now, NCR's HCUR is low risk because they have less than 50 percent utilization in both ICUs and ward beds),” she said.
The DOH also urged the public to cooperate with authorities by strictly following the health protocols.
“Magtulong-tulungan po tayo lahat. Bawat Pilipino may obligasyon at responsibilidad na sumunod sa mga pamantayang pangkalusugan. Isuot natin ang mga mask at face shield ng tama, huwag pupunta sa mga matataong lugar, palagiang mag hugas ng kamay (Let's all help each other. Every Filipino has an obligation and responsibility to adhere to health standards. Let's wear masks and face shields properly, don't go to crowded places, wash our hands regularly, and) do physical distancing,” said Vergeire.
“And magpabakuna na po tayo. Ito po ang pinaka importante aside from the safety protocols...para hindi na muli bumalik ang pagtaas ng kaso sa ating bansa (And let's get vaccinated. This is the most important aside from the safety protocols ... so that the country will not experience an increase in cases again),” she added.