The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday (Sep. 14) said the National Capital Region (NCR) is placed under Alert Level 4 due to a high two-week growth rate (TWGR) and average daily attack rate (ADAR).
In today’s Laging Handa public briefing, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Metro Manila is under a high risk classification since its two-week growth rate is 28% and its average daily attack rate at 39.09%.
Moreover, the regions’ total bed utilization is at moderate risk at 69.58% and intensive care unit (ICU) utilization rate at 77.58%.
“Using these criteria the National Capital Region will be under Alert Level 4 given the following matrix: In terms of case classification, NCR is at high risk given a moderate risk two week growth rate at 28% and a high risk average daily attack rate of 39 per 100,000 population; on its health capacity, the total bed utilization of NCR is at moderate risk at 69.58% however, ICU utilization is currently at 77.58%.”
The department explained that it will identify the alert level of a pilot area and that the classification will be done weekly based on the metrics.
“We shall be regularly assessing the situation in the NCR to monitor changes in cases and utilization data as well as the implementation of the recommended strategies and activities aimed at reduction of case transmission and hospital utilization during this policy shift pilot implementation.”
Under Alert Level 4, the DOH will ramp up active case findings, secure samples from priority areas for genome sequencing, implement aggressive community testing, intensify contact tracing and isolation, and deploy more vaccines to areas with surges.
The DOH added that community testing will be implemented especially in areas with Delta variant transmission or those with spikes in cases.
“We may use antigen tests in Alert Level 3 and up to facilitate faster detection of cases among the symptomatic and the close contacts,” she said.
In relation to this, the policy on the 14-day quarantine for close contacts, regardless of their vaccination status and possession of a negative COVID-19 test result, will also be enforced under the new strategy.
Report from Mark Fetalco/NGS-rir
