Raising Alert Level 1 over Metro Manila this Feb too early, too drastic – expert | Inquirer News

Raising Alert Level 1 over Metro Manila this Feb too early, too drastic – expert

By: - Reporter / @DYGalvezINQ
/ 01:10 PM February 07, 2022

Raising Alert Level 1 over Metro Manila this Feb too early, too drastic – expert

FILE PHOTO: Unvaccinated individuals may ride public transport without fear of being shooed away or offloaded as the “no vaccine, no ride” policy is lifted from February 1 to 15 when Metro Manila comes under COVID-19 Alert Level 2. —RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — It is still too early and too drastic to downgrade Metro Manila to COVID-19 Alert Level 1 this month, an expert said Monday.

Infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante said Metro Manila should stay under Alert Level 2 for now because transmission of COVID-19 infections is still high.

Article continues after this advertisement

“In my opinion, we need to stay in Alert Level 2. It’s too early and I think it’s too drastic to change to a lower alert level like Alert Level 1,” he said in a Laging Handa public briefing.

FEATURED STORIES

“Tingnan muna natin in the next two weeks kung medyo maganda ang palo ng mga kaso natin, mas mababa na, then let’s see,” he added.

(Let’s see in the next two weeks if the COVID-19 situation would be better — if cases would be lower, then let’s see.)

Article continues after this advertisement

He said the government should be vigilant in monitoring the number of COVID-19 infections to decide on alert levels.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Mataas pa rin ang kaso na nakikita natin, mataas pa rin ang hawaan and we need to be vigilant about these numbers, dapat hindi lang tayo dire-diretso na magbaba ng alert level,” Solante said.

Article continues after this advertisement

(The cases we are seeing are still high and we need to be vigilant about these numbers. We should not just deescalate alert levels.)

He reminded the public to continue to comply with minimum public health standards, get vaccinated, and only go out when necessary to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

Article continues after this advertisement

Metro Manila is currently under Alert Level 2 until February 15. The government is set to decide whether to retain the current level or downgrade the national capital region to the least restrictive Alert Level 1.

RELATED STORIES

EXPLAINER: The Philippines’ COVID-19 alert level system

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Palace: Not yet time to scrap COVID-19 alert level system

KGA

For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.

TAGS: COVID-19, expert, Metro Manila

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.