Duterte adviser sees no need for higher alert level if hospitalization rates low

Higher COVID-19 alert levels may be unnecessary if hospitalization rates continue to be low amid the increase in new cases over the past days, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said on Tuesday.

Concepcion made the remark following concerns over a possible return to Alert Level 2 status for the National Capital Region (NCR).

“If our COVID cases are not ending up in hospitals, then there is no need for higher alert levels,” Concepcion said in a statement.

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday mentioned the likelihood of NCR being placed under Alert Level 2 if the COVID-19 cases continued to increase.

The Alert Level 1 — the lowest in the alert level system — in Metro Manila is set to expire on June 15.

Under Alert Level 2, certain establishments and activities are allowed at 50% capacity indoors for fully vaccinated adults (and minors, even if unvaccinated), and 70% capacity outdoors.

On Monday, the Philippines logged 386 new COVID-19 cases, more than half or 188 of which are in NCR. —NB, GMA News