NextGen Day

MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region (NCR) is “ready” for de-escalation to Alert Level 1, according to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

During a televised public briefing, Duque stated that NCR’s current two-week growth rate is negative, and the average daily attack rate is at moderate risk.

“Kapag ibinangga mo’yung dalawa, ang katumbas is a low-risk classification; samantalang ang kanilang healthcare utilization rate naman ay below 30%, so mababa din, low risk,” he continued.

To attain a lower alert level, the region must be able to vaccine 80 percent of its older residents and 70% of its target population against coronavirus.

The target population for older citizens in the NCR is 1,222,154. A total of 1,025,000 people have been fully vaccinated, resulting in an 83.90 percent coverage rate.

“So, ‘yung target population,’ lampas na sila sa 80 percent sa kanilang pangkalahatan naman.” In fact, ang NCR has reached 100% of its target population (usually, it has exceeded 80% of its target population). In reality, NCR has fully immunized 100 percent of its target population (ito ay 101.66 percent to be exact),” Duque stated.

He also stated that the IATF would discuss other regions that may have matched the metrics and that they are prepared to de-escalate to Alert Level 1 if necessary.

To avoid an increase in instances in regions that have been reduced to Alert Level 1, Duque emphasized that minimal public health requirements must be strictly adhered to.

As a result, the IATF’s omnibus rules on the alert level system will be reviewed.

“We will be more particular in terms of kung ano ba ‘yung mga activities (We will be more explicit in terms of [the type of] activities [for the public] that will be allowed,” added Duque.

Increase the number of tests conducted.

Guillermo Eleazar, a former PNP commander and senatorial contender, said the government’s Covid-19 testing efforts should be stepped up to find more persons infected with the disease.

Eleazar made the call after the World Health Organization (WHO) expressed worry that fewer people are undergoing viral tests around the world.

“Now is not the time to rest on our laurels. “Kahit na maganda ang number sa halos lahat ng rehiyon sa Pilipinas at pababa na ang mga kaso, hindi pa rin maiaalis ang katotohanan na narito pa rin ang Covid-19,” Eleazar, who is running in the May 9 elections, said.

“We still need to be cautious, and testing is one of the precautions we can take to determine who is infected with the disease.” Let’s not let the sickness spread and new mutations emerge simply because we are unwilling to test,” he continued.

Eleazar spoke to the scenario in other nations where Covid-19 testing is required.

“Dapat ay masiguro na ang pagpapa-test ay gagawing libre o abot-kaya para sa mga ordinaryong Pilipino kung gagayahin natin ang ibang bansa.” Huwag na sana natin itong gawing dagdag-gastos pa para sa ating mga kababayan na karamihan ay financially challenged na dahil sa pandemya (If we follow the lead of other countries, we must make testing free or inexpensive to average Filipinos.) “Let’s not make it a new cost for our compatriots, who are already struggling financially as a result of the pandemic),” he said.

Eleazar stressed the necessity of receiving the core series of vaccines as well as booster doses to provide an additional layer of protection against Covid-19.

Eleazar has previously advocated for the creation of new community hospitals to accommodate Covid-19 patients, as well as the expansion of the “Resbakuna sa Botika” program, which allows individuals to obtain vaccines from private pharmaceutical businesses.

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