By Arabella Asis
The Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) imposed an Alert Level 2 on 26 provinces due to the increasing cases of COVID-19 until April 30.
The 26 provinces under Alert Level 2 are Benguet; Ifugao; Quezon Province; Palawan; Camarines Norte; Masbate; Antique; Negros Occidental; Bohol; Cebu Province; Negros Oriental; Leyte; Western Samar; Lanao del Norte; Davao de Oro; Davao del Norte; Davao del Sur; Davao Occidental; North Cotabato; Sarangani; Sultan Kudarat; Dinagat Islands; Basilan; Maguindanao; Sulu; and Tawi-Tawi.
In the Laging Handa public briefing on Tuesday, April 25, Philippine Federation of Professional Associations Vice President Dr. Benito Atienza supported the IATF recommendation.
“Ibig sabihin lang po ng alert level 2 ay dapat po 50% lang ang capacity ng indoor, tapos 70% yung outdoor at ayon po ay dapat iche-check pa rin po natin yung mga bakuna,” Atienza explained.
According to Atienza, the spike was expected due to the holiday celebrations such as the holy week.
Meanwhile, the officer reiterated that wearing a mask should still be practiced by the Filipinos.
“Talagang mask ang isa sa pinaka magaling na pag-prevent sa pagkalat ng COVID-19 at sa ngayon makikita natin na kakaunti na lang ang natetest din sa COVID-19,” he noted.
Atienza also encouraged the public to get their booster shot to increase their immunity level to COVID-19.
The IATF has recently reported an 8.8% positivity rate nationwide.i