Increase in hospital use also seen in 6 cities
THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday said 13 out of the 17 local government units (LGUs) of Metro Manila are currently under the “moderate” risk classification due to increasing numbers of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.
In a press conference, Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, who is the DOH officer-in-charge, said only the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela remain at “low” risk for COVID-19.
“In the NCR, we have observed the continuing rise in cases, although it is not yet at significant levels. There are 13 out of the 17 areas in the NCR that have reached moderate risk classification,” said Vergeire.
“This is why NCR continues to be under the moderate risk case classification,” she added.
Aside from increasing cases, the DOH said there are also six areas in Metro Manila where healthcare utilization rates are observed to be increasing.
These are the cities of Pasig, Muntinlupa, Malabon, Makati, Navotas, and Caloocan.
“We are seeing an increase in their admissions, especially in their COVID-19 wards,” said Vergeire.
With hospital admissions seeing an uptick, the health official said they have already advised concerned LGUs to activate their respective isolation facilities.
“We are looking at patients admitted who can be transferred to isolation facilities, those that are mild and asymptomatic,” said Vergeire, adding that LGUs still have existing isolation facilities that are enough to accommodate mild and asymptomatic patients.
“We do not see the need to open new isolation facilities. We are using the existing facilities for these individuals,” she said.
Asked if the government believes that the mandatory face mask policy should be brought back due to increasing cases, Vergeire said not yet.
“We may recommend the return of this policy if we see an increase in severe and critical cases at critical levels, and if hospital admissions really surge,” she said.
She also stressed that the eased face mask policy is not solely to blame for the surge in cases.
“It is not just because of the masking policy outdoors, but also because of the mobility of the population, and the opening up of other sectors,” said Vergeire.
