The medical groups that requested to place Metro Manila under modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) for them to have a “breather” said the COVID-19 response improved.
The Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against COVID-19 (HPAAC) said their discussions with healthcare workers, government agencies, the private sector, and civil society resulted in the development of a “sturdy” plan against COVID-19.
Metro Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal would revert to general community quarantine (GCQ) starting today until August 31 after President Rodrigo Duterte placed them under stricter modified GCQ for two weeks.
“Nitong nakaraang dalawang linggo, may unti-unting nabubuo na matibay na plano laban sa COVID-19,” Dr. Antonio Dans of the Philippine Society of General Internal Medicine said at a virtual press conference, reading a statement by the HPAAC.
He said One Hospital Command system could address hospitals’ capacity problems.
The One Hospital Command system seeks to improve the referral system and interoperability of public and private health care facilities treating COVID-19 patients nationwide. It was launched last week.
Dans also included workplace and transportation safety guidelines and strengthening of the Health Technology Assessment Council in “areas of great improvement.”
“Maraming nagawa, maraming napag-usapan, maraming nabagong plano. Kailangan ma-implement nang mabuti at tutulong kami diyan,” he said.
Also read: UP experts recommend 15-day MECQ extension
The doctor added that the public should also take responsibility to help control the spread of COVID-19.
“Handa na ba tayo? Alam na natin ang gagawin, ‘di ba? May plano na tayo. Kailangan implement na lang natin,” he said.
“The effects of the time-out on our overburdened health care system would not be felt within two weeks,” said Dr. Aileen Espina of the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians.
Meanwhile, Prof. Guido David of UP-OCTA Research Team earlier said the Philippines was already close to flattening the curve of COVID-19 infections during modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila and other nearby provinces.
David emphasized that the R-naught (R0), which determines the reproduction of COVID-19 cases, decreased from 1.5 at the end of July to 1.1 now in August. An R0 below 1 means a flattened curve, the UP expert said.