NCR lower alert level possible amid case, hospital occupancy decline

The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday (Oct. 23) said there is a possibility to de-escalate Metro Manila’s alert level if reported new cases and hospital occupancy continue to decline.

According to the department, the National Capital Region (NCR) is under moderate risk classification in terms of cases, with an average daily attack rate of 9.87 and a two-week growth rate of -52%.

The region’s health systems capacity has also improved to the low-risk category with 39% bed utilization and 48% intensive care unit (ICU) utilization.

“Kapag tiningnan natin at magtuloy-tuloy ang pagbaba ng kaso at mga tao sa ospital, we are seeing that the possibility of being deescalated to level 2 is very high,” DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said in the Saturday Laging Handa briefing.

The health official said cases may continue to decline based on FASSSTER projections, but brought up the use of case detection in line with projections.

“Kapag tiningnan ang detection to isolation ngayon, ito ay nasa 4 days. Kapag tumaas po iyan, magkakaroon din tayo ng pagtaas ng kaso, she said.

“Sana ma-maintain natin lahat so that we can be able to de-escalate to alert level 2 come November,” she added.

Delta sublineage

The DOH said sufficient studies and evidence have yet to be released regarding the Delta variant’s AY4.2 sublineage which was reported to be 10% more transmissible.

“Patuloy na pinag-aaralan ang epekto nito sa transmission at sa vaccine efficacy. Hanggang sa ngayon, wala pang completed evidence and it is not classified yet as a variant of concern or variant of interest,” she said.

The government has been studying the possible establishment of a red travel alert on countries with increasing COVID-19 cases. Monitoring is ongoing for the sublineage, but AY4.2 has not yet been detected in the country. – Report from Patrick de Jesus/AG- bny

Watch the full interview here:

 

Popular

Gov’t remains ‘relentless’ in supporting PH Air Force — PBBM

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed his administration’s continued support to the Filipino airmen and airwomen as the Philippine Air Force (PAF)...

PBBM ‘rings’ CMEPA into effectivity

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet Investments serve as the lifeblood of a successful and progressive nation, paving the way for an economy that adopts to the...

‘Best is yet to come’: PBBM rallies Alex Eala after WTA finals debut

By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency On Sunday, June 29, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. offered words of encouragement to tennis sensation Alex...

DOH opens online mental health support for Filipinos in Israel

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora | Philippine News Agency The Department of Health (DOH) is extending psychosocial support to overseas Filipinos in Israel affected by...