More data on Omicron needed before possible shift to Alert Level 1, says Palace

Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesperson  Karlo Nograles (FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — The government will need more data and information on the Omicron variant of COVID-19 before possibly shifting to Alert Level 1 in most parts of the country, Malacañang said Friday.

Many areas in the country—including Metro Manila—are currently under Alert Level 2.

Acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said that there are three aspects that need to be considered when it comes to the Omicron variant: transmissibility, severity, and breakthrough infections.

“With regard to Alert Level 1, we are still awaiting [for] final conclusive data coming from the World Health Organization (WHO) with regard to the Omicron variant,” Nograles said in a press briefing.

“Right now, ito yung hinihintay natin. Puro preliminary data pa lamang ang pinapadala ng WHO sa atin,” he added.

(Right now we’re waiting for that because what’s coming in from the WHO are just preliminary data.)

Moreover, Nograles said the government has yet to finalize the parameters for Alert Level 1, adding that it remains to be a “work in progress” in the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“Right now puro preliminary data kaya—wala pa yung comfort level kumbaga ng IATF to definitely set and finalize the parameters for Alert Level 1. Dahil ganun nga, then we wait and see,” Nograles said.

(It’s just preliminary data so the IATF has not reached a comfort level yet todefinitely set and finalize the parameters for Alert Level 1. Because of this, we just wait and see.)

gsg