Too early to say if COVID-19 alert level in NCR could be extended –DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) said Monday it was too early to make predictions on the National Capital Region's (NCR's) COVID-19 alert level in the coming days.

In an online briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said there would be an assessment before deciding whether to extend or raise the current alert level from 4 to 5.

“We cannot say yet if we will extend or not because we still need to look at our progress and the metrics that we have,” Vergeire said in a mix of English and Filipino.

She also said the effect of the pilot implementation of the alert level system on the COVID-19 situation in Metro Manila could only be seen after two to three weeks.

“It’s too early now to say that there is that effect already,” Vergeire said in a separate interview with ANC.

She added that the rise in cases in the NCR had not yet peaked. Their projections showed that COVID-19 cases would peak towards the end of September or by early October.

Metro Manila was placed under Alert Level 4 on September 16.

Based on the government's new guidelines, areas under Alert Level 4 — the second-highest alert level in the new scheme — are those with COVID-19 case counts that are high or increasing while total beds and ICU beds are at a high utilization rate.

The enforcement of the COVID-19 Alert Level 4 in the NCR however could be extended for two more weeks after September if it would result in a lower number of infections, National Task Force against COVID-19 spokesperson Restituto Padilla said last Saturday.

Under an Alert Level 4, outdoor or al fresco dining will be allowed at a maximum of 30% venue/seating capacity regardless of the vaccination status of customers. Indoor dine-in services may be allowed at a limited 10% venue/seating capacity but will cater only to individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

There are also restrictions on personal care services, religious gatherings, and attendance at wakes and burials, among others. Curfew is also shorter at 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Granular lockdowns will also be implemented.

The enforcement of the Alert Level 4 would be assessed after the first week of its pilot implementation, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. — DVM, GMA News