The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday (Oct. 2) urged the public to not be complacent despite the decreasing cases in Metro Manila.
“Ang ating bilin pa rin sa ating mga kababayan, we cannot be complacent at this point. Kailangan ituluy-tuloy natin kung anuman po iyong mga ginagawa natin para patuloy po nating ma-decongest ang ating mga ospital,” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during the Laging Handa public briefing.
According to her, there are still 93 areas that are in Alert Level 4. This means their hospital utilization rate is still at ‘high-risk’ or 70% more.
Meanwhile in Metro Manila, despite the decrease in COVID-19 cases, there are still 10 areas whose ICU utilization rate is averaging about 76% occupancy.
“So, kailangan pa rin po nating bantayan, hindi po tayo puwedeng magbitaw muna dito sa ganitong alert level, kailangan pa rin natin kasing maging cautious because hospitals are still full,” Vergeire said.
The de-escalation of the alert level can only happen upon the loosening and decrease of hospital admissions.
Vergeire said hospital utilization isn’t the only factor to consider in de-escalating the alert level.
“So, pag nakita na po natin na medyo lumuluwag na at nakikita nating bumaba ang admissions that’s the time that we are going to de-escalate, if ever. Marami pa rin po naman tayong kinu-konsidera na indicators not just hospital utilization. We are also looking at the response of our local communities sa PDITR po; iyan isa pa ho nating tinitingnan and siyempre iyong pagbabakuna,” she said. – PG – bny
