IATF amends alert level metrics

FILE PHOTO: A computer image created by Nexu Science Communication together with Trinity College in Dublin, shows a model structurally representative of a betacoronavirus which is the type of virus linked to COVID-19, shared with Reuters on February 18, 2020. NEXU Science Communication/via REUTERS

MANILA, Philippines — The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases revised the current COVID-19 alert level metrics being used, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Thursday.

The task force set a limit for the average daily attack rate (Adar) per risk classification:

• Low risk areas – Adar should be less than 6
• Moderate risk areas – Adar should be 6-18
• High risk areas – Adar should be more than 18

Adar is the number of infected individuals per 100,000 population.

Meanwhile, the following are the new criteria to downgrade an area to Alert Level 1:

• low to minimal risk case classification
• total bed utilization rate of less than 50 percent
• full vaccination of 70 percent of its target population
• full vaccination of 80 percent of its senior citizens’ target population

According to Nograles, also the IATF co-chair, the Alert Level Matrix will continue to use the cross-tabulation of case classification and total COVID-19 bed utilization.

The amended metrics would be used in determining the alert level classification that will be raised in areas of the country on March 1.

Currently, Alert Level 3 is raised in Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo City, Iloilo Province, South Cotabato, and Zamboanga City.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country are under Alert Level 2 until the end of February.

JPV