Some members of the medical community said that the government must make sure that safeguards are in place before downgrading Metro Manila to Alert Level 1.
Adherence to minimum public health standards (MPHS) and ramping up vaccination activities are vital points to avoid another surge in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, said Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) President Dr. Maricar Limpin.
“The LGU (local government units) mayors know their locality best.... but we hope that they made the necessary preparations to ensure that everyone will be safe,” said Limpin.
“The health community one with everyone that we do not want another surge and another lockdown. If the LGUs are ill-prepared, (it is) best to delay downgrading alert level,” she added.
Limpin said that “many things still need to be done including preparations in the event of another surge.”
She cited an example for face-to-face classes. “They need to retrofit the school buildings and ensure that classrooms are well ventilated," said Limpin.
“There should also be adequate transport services so that people can be brought to their destinations safely without overcrowding,” she added.
The government should also ensure safeguards in the different election campaign activities to avoid turning these into COVID-19 superspreader events.
"That is what we are afraid of. The campaign sorties during Level one may become superspreaders. Strict implementation of the minimum health protocols should be strictly followed. For the medical sector, including hospitals it is indeed worrisome," said the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) President Dr. Jose Rene de Grano.
Metro Manila is ready to be placed under the lowest alert level status based on its current COVID-19 situation, said Dr. Rontgene Solante, chief of the Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Unit at San Lazaro Hospital in Manila.
“Mukhang ready na ang NCR for the Alert Level 1. But it does not also mean na kapag nagluluwag tayo, mas lalo tayong complacent sa mga ginagawa natin (It looks like NCR is ready for Alert Level 1. But it does not also mean that when we ease the alert level, we will be complacent in what we do),” he said.
“Kung magluluwag tayo, we need to also protect ourselves...Panatilihin natin yung mga ginagawa natin—yung pag follow ng health protocols (If we are going to downgrade the alert status, we need to also protect ourselves... Let's continue what we are doing---follow health protocols). In short, I have no problem if transition to Alert Level 1, especially in the NCR . Pero, tuloy pa rin ang bakunahan, tuloy pa rin ang health protocol, at tuloy pa rin ang pag monitor sa mga kaso (But, the vaccination, adherence to health protocols, and the monitoring of the cases should continue),” he said.
The SARS-CoV-2 or the virus that causes COVID-19 remains a threat, Solante reminded the public.
“Kung titingnan natin ang situation natin (If we look at our situation): our cases are going down, the number of those in the hospitals are also significantly lower, so ang nakikita natin dito (with these)---we may have a lower rate of transmission now in the community,” he said.
“Mababahala tayo dahil nandito pa rin ang Omicron variant (We should still be concerned because the Omicron variant is still here). Meron pa ring pwedeng mahawahan (There are still people who can be infected) and that is why, even if we will transition to a lower level dapat ipapanatili pa rin natin ang (we must still maintain the) health protocol,” he added.
Health advocate Dr. Tony Leachon was also in favor of imposing Alert Level 1 in Metro Manila.
“I fully support the shift to Alert Level 1 for NCR on March 1,” he said.
Leachon said that this move is "an economic countermeasure while the health metrics are stable."
"We just need to put the medical safeguards in place - MPHS with mayors monitoring compliance and COVID cases with preparedness to revert back to tighter alert levels or granular lockdowns with surges," he added.
Individual roles
Aside from the government, “everybody in each locality must also do their part in preventing another surge,” said Limpin.
The public should get themselves vaccinated— both primary vaccines and the booster dose. Always wear a face mask properly when going out. Practice hand hygiene at all times; and minimize touching eyes, nose, and mouth, said Limpin.
She also advised the public to not go out of the house "when you feel sick." Avoid close contact with people who are sick, cover your mouth and nose with tissue when you cough or sneeze, avoid large gatherings; when you socialize, do it outdoors; and clean frequently touched objects & surfaces regularly, she added.
"These should have been frequently communicated to the public by the LGUs," said Limpin.
On Wednesday, Feb. 23, the local chief executives in Metro Manila recommended downgrading the metropolis to Alert Level 1.