THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday said the healthcare utilization rate in Metro Manila is still at “moderate” risk, thus it is still unnecessary to escalate the region’s current Alert Level 3 quarantine to a higher classification amid the sharp increase in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.
In a televised public briefing, Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said: “It is still low in the NCR (National Capital Region), particularly at moderate risk at 60 percent. If we will increase it to Alert Level 4, it must be at 71 percent already or at high risk.”
“Alert Level 3 has been helpful. It is evident in the traffic, establishments, as fewer people go out. The people are afraid so the mobility was lessen. No need to shift (to Alert Level 4) yet. We can still manage. The situation is very manageable despite the rise in number of cases,” Vega said.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III echoed Vega’s statement and said that upgrading the Alert Level 3 imposed over the NCR would only be necessary if the healthcare system comes close to being overwhelmed.
“They’re well within the moderate risk classification. So, unless these breaches 70 percent utilization rate both for total beds and ICU beds, we will recommend to keep the status quo,” said Duque.
Told that some hospitals in Metro Manila have already declared full capacity for COVID-19 patients, Vega said such predicament may be addressed by proper referral systems.
“What is needed is better coordination on the transfer of patients needing admission to those hospitals that still have the capacity. It is important to have well-coordinated and well referred patients since there remains vacancy on the overall,” Vega said.
As for temporary treatment and monitoring facilities (TTMFs), Vega said the DOH has already started reopening isolation and quarantine facilities that were closed when cases started to go down last year.
“Our TTMFs have a utilization rate of 78 percent already. Gradually, we are increasing our number of isolation facilities and isolation beds,” said Vega.
COVID cases in Metro Manila started to sharply increase towards the end of 2021 and into the start of 2022. The resurgence of cases resulted to the region being placed under Alert Level 3 until January 15.
CLOSED
Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo yesterday ordered the temporary closure until the end of January of trial courts in areas that were recently placed under Alert Level.
Physically closed under the latest SC order are the trial courts in Benguet, Kalinga, Abra, La Union, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Isabela, Quirino, Tarlac, Quezon, Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Camarines Sur, and Albay.
Also closed are trial courts in Aklan, Capiz, Bacolod City, Antique, Cebu City, Mandaue City, Tacloban City, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro City, Butuan City, Agusan del Sur and Cotabato City.
Gesmundo also authorized Court of Appeals Presiding Justice Remedios Salazar-Fernando to issue the same order to CA stations in Cebu City and Cagayan de Oro City.
Gesmundo earlier made the same directive governing trial courts in the National Capital Judicial Region, including the SC, CA, Court of Tax Appeals and the Sandiganbayan until January 31.
Gesmundo said affected courts may conduct online hearings on urgent cases such as inquest, bail petitions, dismissal of criminal cases, promulgation of cases, habeas corpus petitions, election-related offenses and cases involving violence against women and children.
In compliance with Gesmundo’s order, the Sandiganbayan declared a physical closure of its offices for the rest of January 2022.
Presiding Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang issued Administrative Order No. 002-2022 late Wednesday (January 12) modifying work schedules and safety policies for the third time this month.
Earlier, the court suspended work for three days from January 6 to 9, 2022 after 12 employees tested positive of COVID-19.
This was followed by an order last January 9 declaring an indefinite suspension of all in-court hearings.
Under the new AO, the Sandiganbayan said only officials and employees performing essential work — those involved in processing salaries, the Medical Section, security personnel and those on-call for urgent matters — will be allowed to enter the court’s premises.
They were cautioned to stay only for the time needed to accomplish their work.
To ensure the safety of reporting employees and minimize risks, the court said transportation will be provided to them with strict policies on observance of health protocols and social distancing.
Until further notice, the court’s docket will not receive personal filing of documents, motions and other pleadings.
“Pleadings and other court submissions may be filed electronically. The deadline of filings of pleadings and other submissions falling due in the month of January 2022 is moved to February 1, 2022,” the Sandiganbayan said.
In-court hearings will also remain suspended although any of the seven divisions may be convened to conduct remote videoconference hearings but only at the determination of the division chairperson that the pending matter is urgent. — With Ashzel Hachero and Peter Tabingo
The anti-graft court said justices will continue to work by writing decisions and resolving pending matters in their respective divisions with support from staff under work from home arrangements.
All court personnel including the justices and the rank and file were cautioned against unnecessary travels and interactions to avoid infection by the coronavirus.
“All Justices, officials and employees are advised to refrain from leaving their homes unless absolutely necessary. Health and safety protocols must be observed at all times,” the Sandiganbayan added.
In a related development, the Bureau of Immigration said it will reduce its on-site workforce as COVID-19 infection among its staff, including frontline personnel assigned at airports, continue to climb.
“All BI offices shall continue to be open during weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. but will observe at least 30 percent on-site work capacity while adopting applicable alternative work arrangements effective 13 January 2022 until 21 January 2022,” Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said in an advisory.
Morente advised unvaccinated and partially vaccinated clients to secure online appointments due to the spike in COVID cases.
So far, 251 immigration personnel have been infected with the deadly virus, of which 135 are assigned at several international airports, 91 at the bureau’s main office in Manila and 25 from BI offices nationwide.
Meanwhile, 269 more immigration personnel are also quarantined, awaiting the results of their COVID-19 tests.
“We’re seeing a record high-number of active COVID cases this week. This is alarming and we are doing our best to be able to sustain our operations,” he said, adding: “This is severely affecting our operations both at the airports as well as in our offices.”
The BI chief said they have already put on standby a rapid response team to augment their frontline personnel so as not to hamper their day-to-day operations.
