Malacañang said it was up to the discretion of the local government units (LGUs) whether to bring an entire family hit with the coronavirus (COVID-19) to a facility or let them undergo quarantine in their own house.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles made the statement as the country faces a new surge of COVID-19 cases possibly caused by the local transmission of the Omicron variant.
In an interview with ANC's "Headstart" on Monday, Nograles encouraged those with mild symptoms to quarantine themselves at home if possible as the government is reserving hospital beds for severe and critical cases and those belonging to the A2 (seniors) and A3 (with comorbidities) demographics.
"Those who are mild, you can home-isolate if it's needed. Coordinate with the LGU, do telemedicine," he said.
"If it's not conducive for home isolation, we have to bring you to the temporary treatment and monitoring facility (TTMF) then we'll manage you from there," he added.
However, if all members of the household test positive for the disease, Nograles said it would be up to the LGU if they should be transferred to a TTMF or allow them to undergo quarantine in their house.
"This is where the wise judgment of the LGUs comes into play. We have to entrust to the LGUs the wisdom in their decisions in terms of patient navigation," he said.
"But, of course, many LGUs naman are not health experts, they're not doctors. So it always has to be in consultation with DOH (Department of Health)," he added.
The Palace official said LGUs must be trained and knowledgeable enough to know when and how to navigate patients as not all are exhibiting the same symptoms.
He added that LGUs have their own local health officers who will coordinate and seek guidance from the DOH.
"It's not a one-size-fits-all rule," Nograles said.
"LGUs, together with their local health officers will have to make the decisions on a case-to-case basis," he added.
Last week, the government's pandemic task force has approved the policy shift for the quarantine and isolation of COVID-19 patients, allowing those who are asymptomatic or show mild or moderate symptoms to undergo home isolation.
It likewise allowed the home quarantine for close contacts of the suspect, probable, or confirmed COVID-19 cases but subject to more specific protocols:
- They have their own room and toilet
- They will be supervised by the LGU concerned
- They show no symptoms
- They are not vulnerable (seniors or with comorbidities)
- They are not mixed with positive and symptomatic individuals
- They observe minimum public health standards (mask, distance, disinfection, ventilation)