Iloilo City downgraded to Alert Level 1
BY GERARD NAVAL and JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR
WITH areas under Alert Level 1 doing well in terms of reduced COVID-19 infections, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III yesterday said government is looking at the possibility of having an “Alert Level 0” and downgrading the alert level of more areas.
“So far so good. Even if we are allowing maximum capacity for establishments, cases have been dropping. For several days now, we have seen below 1,000 cases daily,” said Duque.
“Hopefully, we can bring the number further down to 500 daily or even less. In such cases, maybe we can further deescalate to Alert Level 0,” he added.
As to the criteria for Level 0, Duque said the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) as well as the DOH panel of experts will still need to formulate it.
“What would be its elements? Will masks no longer be required? Is proper hand hygiene no longer necessary? Are the ventilation requirements sufficient? Many questions still need to be answered,” said Duque.
At the moment, the health chief said they are looking at other areas that can already be shifted to Alert Level 1.
“We will discuss at the IATF-EID which areas, aside from the 39 areas, can be included in the deescalation to Alert Level 1,” said Duque.
The IATF-EID last night announced that Iloilo City will now be under Alert Level 1, bringing to 40 the total number of areas under the least restrictive level.
The National Capital Region and 38 other areas (11 cities and 27 provinces) are under Alert Level 1 until March 15. Sixty-five areas (55 provinces, 10 cities) are under Alert Level 2.
Communications Secretary and acting presidential spokesman Martin Andanar said the Alert Level 1 in Iloilo City, down from Alert Level 2, takes effect immediately.
He said the decision stemmed from Iloilo’s meeting “the prescribed criteria for de-escalation to Alert Level 1 of the sub-Technical Working Group on Data Analytics.”
Alert Level 1 paves the way for the “full operating/seating/venue capacity of industries, establishments, and public transportation” in the affected areas.
The other provinces and cities under Alert level 1 are Abra, Apayao, Baguio City, Kalinga, Dagupan City, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Batanes, Cagayan, City of Santiago, Isabela, Quirino, Angeles City, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Tarlac, Cavite, Laguna, Marinduque, Puerto Princesa City, Romblon, Naga City and Catanduanes in Luzon. Aklan, Bacolod City, Capiz, Guimaras, Siquijor, and Biliran in the Visayas; and Zamboanga City, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, and Davao City in Mindanao.
NORMALCY
The Philippine Medical Association said hospitals and clinics are starting to return to normal, with physicians and patients going back to hospitals and clinics for reasons other than COVID-19.
“Doctors are now going back to their respective clinics. Previously, they are scared of opening their clinics,” said PMA president Benito Atienza. “At the same time, the patients are also visiting the clinics and hospitals. Those previously scheduled for procedures are also coming back. They are no longer scared of going to hospitals.”
He said hospitals also welcome the absence of COVID-19 cases among healthcare workers.
“We are happy that there are almost zero COVID-19 cases among our healthcare workers,” said Atienza.
Nevertheless, he appealed to everybody to avoid becoming complacent against COVID-19.
PINOYS ABROAD
The number of Filipinos in Hong Kong infected with the COVID-9 has increased to 290 since a sharp rise in infections was reported last month, the Philippine consulate said.
Consul General Raly Tejada said most of those infected are in isolation centers and are receiving medical attention.
Tejada, in an interview with Teleradyo, infected Filipinos initially experienced difficulties but there are now more community isolation centers.
He also said most of those infected told the consulate they prefer to continue working over going home.
Tejada said he and other consulate officials as well as Hong Kong authorities also reminded employers of Filipinos that they should shoulder the costs of medical treatment of their employees should they get sick.
Last month, Tejada said the consulate Is mulling legal action against employers who terminated their Filipino workers after testing positive for the coronavirus, as such a move by the employers is a violation of the employment contract.
Hong Kong is a popular destination of Filipinos, and there are more than 230,000 Filipinos living and working in the territory. — With Ashzel Hachero
