Amid climbing COVID-19 cases, Metro still at minimal risk level

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AMID the recent spike in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, the National Capital Region and several other areas in the country will remain under Alert Level 1 until April 30, or minimal risk to the threat of the virus, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) said.

The IATF has issued Resolution No. 6-C series of 2023, which is part of its bi-monthly recommendations to the Office of the President on the alert level status of provinces, highly urbanized cities, and independent component cities.

The latest alert level covers the period April 16 to 30.

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Last week, the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) said despite a spike in COVID-19 cases recently, hospital admissions continue to be at “very manageable” levels.

However, PHAPI president Dr. REne De Grano said there are areas such as NCR, Caraga, Davao Region and Western and Central Visayas where hospital admissions due to COVID-19 are on the rise.

The DOH has earlier said there has been an increasing trend in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks.

According to the DOH, the country’s average daily cases went up to 341 cases daily from April 10 to 16, compared to 278 from April 3 to 9.

On April 21, OCTA Research fellow Guido David noted a DOH report showing 553 new cases, zero deaths, and 4,657 active cases.

Of the 553 new cases, David said 217 are in NCR, 28 in Cavite, 23 in Davao del Sur.

David also said there is a 9.1 percent nationwide positivity rate.

The World Health Organization has set the COVID-19 positivity rate threshold at 5 percent.

The government amended the country’s Alert Level System for COVID-19, as the DOH said this should no longer prescribe to the level of restrictions in a particular area or community but simply as a risk communication tool for local governments and the public.

Under the IATF resolution, under Alert Level 1 aside from Metro Manila are the Cordillera Administrative Region, Dagupan City, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Pangasinan in Region 1, Batanes, Cagayan, Santiago City, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino in Region 2,Angeles City, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales in Central Luzon, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Lucena City and Rizal in Calabarzon, and Marinduque, Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Puerto Princesa City and Romblon in Mimaropa.

Also under Alert Level 1 are Albay, the Camarines provinces, Sorsogon, Naga City and Catanduanes in Bicol; Aklan, Bacolod City, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo province and Iloilo City in Region 6; Cebu City, Lapu Lapu City, Mandaue City and Siquijor in Region 7; Biliran, Eastern and Northern Samar, Ormoc City, Southern Leyte and Tacloban City in Region 8; Isabela City, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga Sibugay in Region 9.

Also under the same alert level are Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, Iligan City and Misamis Occidental and Oriental in Region 10; Davao City and Davao Oriental in Region 11; General Santos City and Cotabato in Region 12; Cotabato City and Lanao del Sur in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; and Butuan City, Surigao del Norte and del Sur, Agusan del Norte and del Sur in Caraga.

The IATF placed under Alert Level 2 the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, Quezon, Palawan, Camarines Norte, Masbate, Antique, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Leyte, Western Samar, Lanao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, North Cotabato, Saranggani, Sultan Kudarat, Dinagat Islands, Basilan, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi Tawi.

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