Legazpi taps ‘color coding’ for health alerts

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Philippines —The local task force overseeing the government response to the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has developed a color-coding alert system to identify the risk level of 70 villages in this provincial capital of Albay.

According to Mayor Noel Rosal, task force chair, each color has an equivalent set of actions to take to contain and prevent the spread of the virus.

Green (new normal) indicates that the village has no cases monitored, but residents are advised to strictly follow health protocols such as wearing face masks, face shields, physical distancing and no mass gatherings.

Yellow (low risk) means one to three active cases, with the risk of infection starting. Testing and containment measures will be for identified sources.

Yellow-orange (moderate risk) means four to five cases recorded and granular (area-specific) lockdown may be declared.

Red (high risk) means more than eight active cases and the whole village may be placed either under full or granular lockdown.

The city has 34 villages under code green, 30 under yellow, two under yellow-orange and four under red.

—Mar Arguelles