The Department of Health (DOH) said that it is currently studying the proposal of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos to “decouple” the restrictions from the alert level system.
During their recent meeting, DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said that Marcos gave his comments about the current implementation of the alert level system.
Marcos commented that the alert level metrics were “appropriate at that time it was created.” However, since the “situation is evolving and has evolved already,” the DOH should look into it “on ways forward,” said Vergeire.
“If we try to look at kung ano ang kanyang rekomendasyon... ang sabi niya (what his recommendation is ... he said) he likes to decouple the restrictions from the alert level system,” said Vergeire in a press briefing on Wednesday, July 20.
“Before we can do this decoupling, we need to ensure that the wall of immunity is there. Iyan po yung patuloy na paguusapan natin (That is what we will continue to discuss). Of course with the recommendation and approval of the Office of the President regarding this matter,” said Vergeire.
Telemedicine
In a related development, Vergeire encouraged Covid-19 patients with mild symptoms to make use of teleconsultations to preserve the capacity of hospitals amid the rising number of Covid-19 cases.
"Nakikiusap tayo sa ating mga kababayan, let us use our telemedicine services.....na maari niyong tawagan kung ang inyong sitwasyon ay hindi kinakailangan pumunta sa ospital (We urged our citizens to let us use our telemedicine services which you can call if your situation does not require hospitalization)," she said.
"Let us reserve our hospitals doon talagang nangangailangan katulad ng sa Covid na severe at kritikal ang condition (Let us reserve our hospitals for those who are really in need such as people with severe and critical Covid-19 condition)," she added.
Vergeire also urged health facilities to coordinate with the Patient Navigation and Referral System to avoid hospital congestion.