When will alert levels be imposed outside NCR? Wait for experts’ conclusion —Roque

INQUIRER file photo / NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday said that Filipinos will have to wait for experts’ verdict on the efficacy of the alert level system before it could be imposed outside Metro Manila.

Roque was asked at the Palace briefing when the alert level system will be expanded outside the capital region. The system is currently only being tested within the Metro Manila area.

“Kakatapos lang naman po nung first pilot, ‘no. Antayin natin na i-analyze ng mga dalubhasa ang mga datos para magkaroon tayo ng conclusion po,” Roque responded.

(The first pilot just ended. Let’s wait for experts to analyze the data to come up with a conclusion.)

“So, antayin lang po natin ang komento ng mga dalubhasa kung successful o hindi itong pilot,” he went on.

(Let’s wait for the experts’ comments on whether the pilot run is successful or not.)

The alert level system was first imposed in the National Capital Region (NCR) on September 16. Metro Manila was initially placed under Alert Level 4, the second strictest status in the system.

Alert Level 4 is hoisted in areas with high and/or rising COVID-19 cases and high total bed utilization rate and intensive care unit (ICU) utilization rate.

NCR will relax its status to Alert Level 3 on October 16.

Under Alert Level 3, areas have high and/or spiking COVID-19 infections and increasing total bed utilization rate and ICU utilization rate.

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