MMDA chief hopes NCR would be placed under alert level 3

MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos. Image from MMDA / PIO chief Sharon Gentalian

MANILA, Philippines — Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Benhur Abalos on Saturday said he is hopeful that Metro Manila would be placed under alert level 3 after another week.

Abalos said there are indications of decreasing COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila, citing the lower reproduction number being reported by independent pandemic monitor OCTA Research.

“So ‘far, maganda ang records. ‘Yung reproduction rate, ito mismo ay galing sa OCTA, from a high of 1.90 noong August 8, bumaba noong September 4 ng 1.39, and naging 1.03 noong September 22. So nakikita natin ‘yung pababa nito. Maski ‘yung growth rate na one week nag-negative na nga rin kaya maganda po ang indikasyon,” he told ABS-CBN’s Teleradyo.

(So far, the records are good. The reproduction number reported by OCTA was 1.90 on August 8, which decreased to 1.39 on September 4 and 1.03 on September 22. So we are seeing a decrease in cases. The one-week growth rate is also negative so this is a good indication.)

“Sana po by the end of this one week pa, sana po na mag-alert level 3 na po ang Metro Manila (I hope that by the end of this one more week, Metro Manila will be under alert level 3),” he added.

The new alert level system being imposed by the government in Metro Manila determines the types of establishments allowed to operate and at what capacity. The region is currently classified under alert level 4 from September 16 to 30.

Based on government guidelines, an area is placed under alert level 3 if COVID-19 transmission is high or increasing and the total bed and ICU utilization rates are also increasing.

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