THE positivity rate of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Metro Manila has jumped to 10.6 percent but the Department of Health (DOH) warned the public against panicking over a perceived surge in cases.
In a social media post, OCTA Research fellow Guido David said the positivity rate in the National Capital Region (NCR) climbed to 10.6 percent as of April 23, from 7.3 percent last April 16.
David said the positivity rate of the region is expected to continue climbing in the coming days. “The positivity rate in the NCR still looks on track to hit 15 percent,” he said.
He, however, said their projections also see the possibilities of the trend plateauing by mid-May.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has set the threshold for positivity rate for COVID-19 at 5 percent, which means the transmission is under control.
But Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire warned the public against undue panic caused by the rise in positivity rates in the country.
In a media conference, Vergeire said the public must keep in mind that the positivity rate is not the sole factor used in analysis of the COVID-19 trend.
“It will be unfair to local governments if we say we are at high risk now and cause people to panic just because we have based our analysis on the positivity rate,” said Vergeire, stressing that “the positivity rate is not the sole basis in assessing the situation of COVID-19 in the country.”
What is more important, the health official said, is that hospital beds remain available for COVID-19 patients.
Similarly, she said it is vital to note that severe and critical cases as well as COVID-19 deaths remain low.
“The important thing is that hospitals don’t get full, severe and critical cases remain low, and the number of deaths do not increase,” said Vergeire.
CEBU
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia questioned the basis of the resolution issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) that placed Cebu under COVID-19 Alert Level 2.
“I wonder where they based their data,” said Garcia, referring to the IATF officials in coming up with the resolution that included Cebu and 25 other areas under Alert Level 2.
Garcia asked why Cebu was placed under Alert Level 2 when more densely populated areas, including the NCR, are under Alert Level 1.
“What are they doing? They are throwing darts to come up with such a declaration when they don’t even have on the ground data,” said Garcia, adding that while the province of Cebu was placed under Alert Level 2, several cities and municipalities the province are under Alert Level 1.
She said the resolution is “most confusing and confused and Cebu province refuses to be part of their own confusion.”
Under still existing regulations, areas under Alert Level 2 are mandated to implement restrictions, including a 50 percent capacity in establishments indoors for fully vaccinated adults and 70 percent outdoors.
“So shall we now ask them to present their vaccination cards again? That is not only anti-poor, that’s also antibusiness because you are going to limit the customers for all of our restaurants, for all our establishments even supermarkets and malls,” said Garcia.
“Are we going to put guards there, then go back to the old practice of requiring the presentation of vaccination (cards) and are we going to start counting (customers)?” she added.
Garcia said Cebu is trying to move on from the pandemic and they intend to “soar to greater heights.”
“How do we do this? Not by restricting livelihoods and businesses once again, putting a dent on our economy. We are only trying to recover,” said Garcia.
In response to Garcia’s complaint, Vergeire said Cebu and the other provinces under Alert Level 2 have the “flexibility” to implement their own health protocols against COVID-19.
Vergeire said local government units (LGUs) that are still under Alert Level 2 may opt to alter their health protocols as applicable in their respective areas.
“The local governments are given certain flexibility (in imposing health protocols). They know better the risk level in their areas,” she said, adding: “This is as long as the layers of protection needed by their people are present so that we can prevent more transmission.”
According to Vergeire, the Alert Level 2 classifications were imposed due to low COVID-19 vaccination coverage in their areas.
“The Alert Level 2 was imposed not because they have high cases but rather because they have yet to meet the required vaccination rate to warrant Alert Level 1,” reiterated the health official.
Aside from Cebu, placed under Alert Level 2 are the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao, Quezon, Palawan, Camarines Norte, Masbate, Antique, Negros Occidental, Bohol, 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.
ALERT LEVEL SYSTEM
Vergeire said their proposal to decouple the Alert Level System from the restriction protocols remains pending at the IATF.
She said this is because they are still waiting for the result of the consultation to be conducted by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
“The DILG will hold consultation with the local governments just to see if the local governments have the capacity to impose restrictions in their respective areas based on their risk levels,” she said.
“Until now, it is not yet final so the old terms and regulations remain the same,” added Vergeire.
Under the proposal, the Alert Level System will no longer be a prescribing mechanism of the government for health restrictions.
Instead, it will be used as a COVID-19 risk communication tool for local governments. — With Victor Reyes
