DOH: Only 12 areas under Alert Level 3; less than 90% of PH on Alert Level 2

MANILA, Philippines — Only 12 areas were flagged under Alert Level 3, while 108 areas were placed under Alert Level 2 as the government rolled out phase four of the alert level system covering the rest of the country, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire reported on Monday.

“Starting today, November 22, all areas under the phased implementation of the alert level system will start,” Vergeire said during the Department of Health (DOH) media forum.

Areas under Alert Level 3 with moderate to high risk case classification comprise only 10 percent of the country’s areas while majority or 89 percent are under Alert Level 2 with minimal to low risk case classification, she noted.

The following areas are placed under Alert Level 3:

-Apayao

-Baguio City

-Ifugao

-Mountain Province

-Batanes

-Nueva Vizcaya

-Quirino

-Siquijor

-City of Isabela

-Zamboanga City

-Dinagat Islands

-Sulu

Meanwhile, Alert Level 2 is raised over the rest of the country, except Catanduanes which is under Alert Level 4.

Moreover, the DOH noted that metrics showed that Lapu-Lapu City “may require escalation from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 3.”

The DOH likewise said that nine areas under Alert Level 3 or 4 have presented improvement in their case and utilization data.

Vergeire stressed that reassessments will be conducted every 15th and 30th of the month. Although, “escalations may be recommended if at all warranted.”

The government started implementing the five-tier COVID-19 alert level system on September 16 in Metro Manila to balance the COVID-19 health crisis and reopening of the economy.

EDV