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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider COVID Alert Level classification not affected by DOH tech issues --- Roque

COVID Alert Level classification not affected by DOH tech issues --- Roque

Published Sep 30, 2021 02:12 pm

Malacañang assured the public that the technical issues surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) case reporting of the Department of Health (DOH) will not affect the government's decisions regarding its pandemic response, including the next Metro Manila's next alert level classification.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque (OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement as the Alert Level 4 protocols being piloted in the National Capital Region (NCR) end on September 30 amid the ongoing technical issues in DOH's COVID-19 reporting system wherein no deaths caused by the viral disease were reported for six days, so far.

In his press briefing on Thursday, September 30, Roque said that the technical issues will not have any effect on DOH's decision as the agency has access to the COVID-19 document repository system where they can get information on new COVID-19 cases.

"Dahil rito po, malalaman pa rin natin talaga kung ano talaga ang tunay na two-week growth rate at tsaka yung average daily attack rate (Because of this, we can still find out the real two-week growth rate and average daily attack rate)," he said.

"Yung healthcare utilization rate nga po ay gumagamit ng ibang impormasyon bukod pa doon sa COVID-Kaya (We also use other information for the healthcare utilization rate aside from the ones provided by COVID-KAYA)," he added.

COVID-KAYA is the central repository of all data related to the pandemic response.

Despite this, Roque assured the public that the DOH is already working with the Department of Information Communications Technology (DICT) to find a long-term solution to the problem.

Metro Manila was placed under the pilot implementation of the new Alert Levels System for COVID-19 response and an intensified granular lockdown system. The new systems seek to allow some industries to continue operating depending on the alert level of a certain area.

According to Roque, the new Alert Levels System has been effective.

"Sa aking pananaw po bilang isang layman, bumaba po ang ating tinatawag na reproduction rate at bumababa ang mga numero ng kaso (As a layman, I think the reproduction rate decreased along with the number of cases)," he said.

"Kasi ang siyensiya naman po sa granular lockdown, i-isolate ang mga may sakit pero yung mga walang sakit eh hayaang maghanapbuhay (Because the science behind the granular lockdown is to isolate those who are sick but let those who are well to continue working)," he added.

The DOH is yet to decide on Metro Manila's next alert level but the region's mayors have been suggesting to downgrade it from Level 4 to Level 3.

Related Tags

department of health Harry Roque effective Metro Manila covid-19 alert levels system DOH technical issues COVID-KAYA
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