No indication to change NCR area to Covid-19 Alert level 2

According to new Covid-19 case statistics in Philippines, there seems to be no suggestion to raise the alert status to level 2 in the Metro Manila. The Department of Health (DoH) said, to be classified as Alert Level 2 status, the National Capital region (NCR) needs to register 818 new cases every day to cross the Average Daily Attack Rate (ADAR) of 6 per 100,000 population. The hospitalization rates also must be 50 percent or above, according to member of DoH- technical advisory group, Dr Edsel Salvana. In a televised briefing he said, “At this point, there’s no indication we need to move to Alert Level 2. The purpose of the alert level system is really to preserve the healthcare system. We’re far from reaching the point where it is overwhelmed.” He attributed the low number of cases to the strong vaccination program that has been followed and proper use of masks.

Most doctors in the country maintain that the current pandemic alert level should be retained, since the healthcare system is not yet burdened. Dr. Maricar Limpin, former President of Philippine College of Physicians said, “We can continue Alert Level 1 at this point, we don’t see many hospitalizations because of Covid-19.” She also stressed that the government increase the drive to administer booster doses to vaccinated people and urged everyone to use face masks.

Dr Salvana added that the first booster shot was more effective to the general population than the second booster shot. The DoH had earlier stated that Philippines would receive and initial consignment of 300,000 of replacement vaccines in June 2022, under the COVAX facility.