Ifugao deescalated to COVID-19 Alert Level 3 starting February 1

The Inter-Agency Task Force placed Ifugao Province under COVID-19 Alert Level 3 starting February 1 until February 15, acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles announced Monday.

Under Alert Level 3, several establishments are allowed to operate at 30% indoor venue capacity but exclusively for fully vaccinated people, and 50% outdoor venue capacity as long as employees are fully vaccinated.

Work at government offices is also limited to 60% of their onsite capacity.

Ifugao and several areas were placed under Alert Level 4 from January 21 to 31.

Meanwhile, the National Capital Region (NCR), Batanes, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Biliran, Southern Leyte, and Basilan were placed under Alert Level 2 starting February 1 to 15.

Amid concerns, Nograles emphasized that the government followed the metrics in lowering the alert level in NCR and nearby provinces.

“‘Yung tinitignan natin ‘yung sa alert level decision metrics natin, no? So again tulad ng lagi nating sinasabi, ang tinitignan natin diyan ay ‘yung ADAR, ‘yung 2-week growth rate, pati ‘yung total bed utilization,” he said in a Palace briefing.

(We based our decision on the metrics. So again, we are looking at the ADAR, the 2-week growth rate, and the total bed utilization.)

At present, total bed utilization in NCR, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Biliran, Southern Leyte, and Basilan was below 49%.

“So dahil nasa 0 to 49 which is our lowest, kung baga, classification, for our total bed utilization… then nasa lower risk na po siya sa bed utilization,” he said.

(So because we are at 0 to 49, which is our lowest, for our total bed utilization… then we are at low risk for bed utilization.)

Meanwhile, the average daily attack rate (ADAR) of the said areas was at moderate risk.

“So dahil po doon, pwede po siyang ma-deescalate to Alert Level 2,” he said.

(Because of that, we can deescalate to Alert Level 2)

The risk classification of the NCR dropped from high risk to moderate risk last week.

Meanwhile, though children are allowed to go out under Alert Level 2, Nograles said that those who are still unable to wear masks should stay home.

“Please make sure na ‘yung bata naka mask. ‘Wag palabasin kung ‘yung bata nasa mababang edad na nasa infancy o infant o very young age na hindi naman appropriate na mag mask,” he said.

(Please make sure that your kids are wearing masks. Does that are too young to be wearing masks should stay home.)

— DVM, GMA News