Metro Manila’s Drop to Alert Level 1 in Feb Not Recommended

Dr. Rontgene Solante, San Lazaro Hospital’s head of the Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine unit, noted that Metro Manila is far from dropping down to Alert Level 1 — the lowest COVID-19 alert level — within the month. Instead, the government has been advised to continue monitoring cases over the next couple of weeks to see if it declines.

“In my opinion, siguro (maybe) we still need to stay in the Alert Level 2. It’s too early and I think it’s too drastic to change to a lower alert level like 1,” said Dr. Solante on Monday during a televised public briefing. “Remember, mataas pa rin ang mga kasong nakikita natin. Mataas pa rin ang hawaan (the cases we are seeing are still high, the infection rate is still high). And we need to be vigilant about these numbers,” he added.

Metro Manila had just recently shifted down from Alert Level 3 to Alert Level 2 at the beginning of February. The lower alert level will last until February 15. Since then, businesses have been allowed to increase their operating capacity by 20%, said Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo.

“Iyong (the) 20 percent, according to DTI estimates, we have around 100,000 to 200,000 jobs na makakabalik (that will return). According to NEDA estimates naman (on the other hand), this is around 16,000 jobs weekly na makakabalik (that will return) under Alert Level 2,” Castelo furthered.

“Basta dahan-dahan, hindi naman biglaan kasi kailangan rin nating iayos ‘yong mindset naman rin ng publiko. Hindi kasi ibig sabihin na bumaba iyong alert level system natin or tanggalin na siya totally ay wala na tayong kailangan pag-ingatan na COVID virus,” added Castelo when asked whether the trade department backs the suggestion to discard the COVID-19 alert system in the country.

(“As long as it’s done slowly because we also need to prepare the public’s mindset. If we lower or remove the alert level system, it does not mean that we no longer need to take caution against COVID.)

Source: ABS CBN