A group of government doctors on Wednesday called on the easing of quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila.
This is after Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that Manila might be lowered to Alert Level 1 if the daily COVID-19 cases drop to 500 to 1,000.
“Medyo masyadong mabilis ‘yong pagpapababa sa Alert Level 1. Less than 1,000, medyo marami pa rin ‘yon, lalo ngayon dumadami ang mga tao na nasa labas… Siguro hinay-hinay muna tayo,” said Dr. Maricar Limpin, president of Philippine College of Physicians.
According to Limpin, the approaching holiday season needs to be closely monitored, especially since the children who are allowed to go out now under Alert Level 2 have not been vaccinated.
She also said that it is necessary to focus on the possible influx of returning overseas Filipino workers at Christmas and New Year.
“Ang worry natin na ‘yong infections sa lugar nila, lalo ‘yong strains at sub-variants, ay madala nila sa atin at makapasok sa ating bansa,” said Limpin.
According to the Department of Health (DOH), the country’s average daily reported cases dropped significantly this week.
“Nakapagtala tayo ng 47-percent decrease nationwide. Mas malaking pagbaba ng kaso ngayong linggo kompara noong nakaraang linggo na nasa 20 percent lamang,” said Duque.
Doctors’ group is skeptical of Alert Level 1 in Metro Manila
According to Duque, the Philippines is only 53rd globally in terms of the number of active COVID-19 cases and 5th among the countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The DOH also recorded a 97.32 percent recovery rate, one of the highest recovery rates recorded.
The DOH in the Cagayan Valley region clarified why they recorded a 77 percent utilization rate.
It also saw a decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases in the Cagayan Valley even though some local government units are still at “moderate risk.”
The DOH reminded that the government and the public must work together to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases so that Christmas can be a happy Christmas and a good New Year.
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