By Christine Fabro
Besides the COVID-19 case count, healthcare utilization and average daily attack rate will also be considered in placing alert levels in the National Capital Region (NCR) one week after its pilot implementation of alert level system according to Interior Undersecretary Epimaco Densing.
In a Laging Handa public briefing on Saturday (Sept. 11), Densing clarified that all local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila will initially be placed under a common alert level on the onset of alert level system on Sept. 16.
”Nagkasundo na ang [Metro Manila mayors] pati ang Department of Health (DOH) na makakapagsimula naman talaga tayo sa alert level 4. Pero hopefully, dahil testing po ito, susubukan natin na sa loob ng isang linggo mapabababa natin ito ng alert level 3,” Densing said.
Under the alert level 4, no resident mobility is allowed in the area including authorized persons outside of residence (APORS).
READ MORE: Granular lockdown to have 4 levels
Meanwhile, Densing reiterated the difference between alert levels and granular lockdowns, with the latter being implemented even before the alert level system was devised.
“Iyong granular system is matagal na nating ginagawa, ito lang ang naging major policy shift natin na hindi na pang-malawakan kundi maliitang granular lockdown,” Densing said.
According to Densing, alert levels will be applied in areas that are not placed under granular lockdown.
“I-set aside ninyo iyong isyu ng alert level kasi wala iyang kinalaman sa granular lockdown. Ibang sistema iyan at sabay natin ipatutupad. Ang alert levels ay gagamitin natin sa mga lugar na hindi naka-lockdown,” Densing said.
The DOH earlier said that imposing granular lockdowns rather than wider community quarantine restrictions can be more effective in containing COVID-19.
READ MORE: DOH: Granular lockdowns more effective than wider COVID-19 lockdowns
– bny
