Health officials are encouraging people not to discard their face masks as these will continue to protect them from COVID-19 despite the improving public health situation in recent months. (NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer / file photo)
MANILA, Philippines — A stricter implementation of health protocols in Metro Manila can be expected with the uptick in COVID-19 infections, according to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
“Asahan po natin ang bahagyang paghihigpit sa pagpapaalala at pagpapatupad ng ating mga kapulisan habang nagpapatrolya sa lansangan sa pagsunod sa mga alituntuning ito ng IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) at DOH (Department of Health),” NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad said in a statement on Wednesday.
(Let us expect a stricter enforcement of health protocols from police officers on patrol.)
Natividad issued the statement after recent DOH data showed that COVID-19 cases from June 13-19 — which was at 3,051 — was 82 percent higher than the previous week.
Analytics firm OCTA Research said on Wednesday that the positivity rate in the country is already at 5.5 percent, which surpassed the World Health Organization (WHO) threshold of five percent.
The spike has led health authorities to warn about the possibility of another surge in infections, fueled by the infectious Omicron subvariants.
“Metro Manila recorded the most cases in the past two weeks. May this serve as a wake up call to our fellowmen to be careful and mindful with their actions. We have sacrificed a lot to prevent the contraction and contagion of the virus but we plead for our people to sacrifice some more,” Natividad said.
“As much as possible, opt to stay at home not only for ourselves but for the safety of our love ones. Otherwise, for the upcoming events in the country and personal gatherings, please implement self-imposed discipline like the use of facemasks and observance of social distancing,” he added.
The NCRPO chief also said that they have reminded Metro Manila police commanders to check their personnel’s health condition and ensure that they observe minimum health standards on and off their duty.
Metro Manila remains under COVID-19 Alert Level 1, which is the lowest under the IATF’s classification.
Last June 13, however, the DOH raised the possibility of placing the capital region under Alert Level 2 due to said spike. (With reports from Nicole Faye Agcaoili, trainee)