Pateros Mayor Miguel “Ike” Ponce III advised people who are experiencing symptoms of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to isolate themselves even if they do not undergo a test as a preventive measure against the spread of the virus.

During a live broadcast on Facebook on Jan. 15, Ponce discussed the new quarantine and isolation guidelines issued by the Department of Health (DOH) through Memorandum No. 2022-0013.

“Our COVID-19 cases are high. We encourage home isolation so we do not crowd isolation facilities. If you experience symptoms, even if we did not undergo a test, you should isolate immediately. Stay away from your family,” said the mayor.

As of Jan. 15, Pateros, the smallest local government unit (LGU) in Metro Manila with an estimated population of 70,000, added 120 new COVID-19 cases to bring the total active cases to 709, an increase of 77 cases or 12 percent from 632 active cases on Jan. 13.

Of the 709, 387 are asymptomatic and 322 are mild cases, according to a tally by the Pateros municipal government. All are under isolation except for one case.

To date, Pateros has 8,842 confirmed cases, 8,025 recoveries and 108 deaths.

In its new memorandum, the DOH shortened the number of days for positive cases and close contacts depending on the vaccination status.

For the general public, those who are positive and asymptomatic, and fully vaccinated need to isolate for seven days from the date of their test. If they are partially vaccinated or unvaccinated, they need to isolate for 10 days from the date of test.

For probable case with symptoms or positive with mild case, they need to isolate for seven days from onset of symptoms if they are fully vaccinated, and 10 days from onset of symptoms of they are partially vaccinated or unvaccinated.

The isolation period for moderate, severe and critical cases among the general public is 10 days from onset of symptoms for moderate cases who are fully or partially vaccinated and unvaccinated.

For severe cases among the general public, it is 21 days from onset of symptoms for those who are fully or partially vaccinated and unvaccinated.

For people who are positive and immunocompromised, it is 21 days from onset of symptoms regardless of vaccination status. These people are those with autoimmune diseases, HIV, cancer/malignancy, transplant, undergoing steroid treatment and with poor prognosis or bed-ridden.

On the other hand, asymptomatic close contacts among the general public need to quarantine for five days from exposure if they are fully vaccinated and 14 days from exposure if they are partially vaccinated or unvaccinated.