By NG Seruela
The National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19 intensified its fight against COVID-19 through the activation of the crisis action plan against COVID-19 Delta variant.
NTF Chairperson and Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana said on Monday (Aug. 9) that the crisis action plan will be the “instrument” for the preparation and mitigation of the increasing Delta variant cases.
“Ito pong Crisis Action Plan ay ang magiging pangunahing batayan o instrumento natin para paghandaan at pigilan ang pagtaas ng kaso ng COVID Delta variant,” he said.
He added that the aim of the contingency operations is to provide the proper preparation and quick response from the national level against the fast increase of cases.
“Kung kaya’t ang iba’t ibang clusters ay patuloy na ginagampanan ang kani-kanilang papel at mandato na nakasaad sa National Action Plans at sa mga sariling action plans ng bawat ahensya at rehiyon,” Lorenzana assured.
The NTF chief said the mission of the crisis action plan is to properly implement the contingency operations in preparing, hindering, and responding to the new COVID-19 variants of concern. He added that the new response cluster will focus on the communities, health, and international borders.
“Ito po ‘yung sa response cluster na ginawa nating bago. Ito ‘yung communities cluster na ang mission ay prevent and detect. Iyong health cluster naman ay isolate and treat. Iyong international borders ay para pigilin ‘yung mga biyaherong bumabalik dito sa Pilipinas or pumupunta rito na galing sa mga bansang mataas ang kaso ng COVID-19,” he expounded.
Four Door Strategy for COVID-19
Lorenzana further explained that they have created a “Four Door Strategy for COVID-19” that will aid them in implementing the operations’ mission.
Door one is the “point of origin” that will limit the entry of individuals from other countries. It will implement restrictions through limited movements. Door two is the “point of entry” which is responsible for the screening, quarantine, and testing of those who enter the country.
Door three or the “point of care” contains the Prevent-Detect-Isolate-Test-Reintegration (PDITR) strategy and vaccination, while the door four is the “enhanced PDITR” to prevent the healthcare systems from “being overwhelmed.”
The DND chief emphasized that active case finding, strict implementation of the health protocol, and the continuous vaccination rollout are the keys in fighting the fast increase of the COVID-19 cases.
“Una, ang maibayong paghahanap ng mga bagong kaso or active case finding at agarang isolation ay kritikal at itinuturing na pinakamahalaga. Ang ikalawa, maagap na pagpapatupad nang mahigpit na mga patakarang pangkalusugan o ‘yung ating tinatawag na minimum health standards. At panghuli, nais kong ulitin na kahit anumang variant po ang nasa bansa, ang minimum public health standards ay ipapatupad at patuloy ang pagbabakuna,” he said. – rir
