Shift to Alert 1 may reduce economic impact of Russia-Ukraine conflict –OCTA

The de-escalation of the National Capital Region (NCR) and several other areas to a COVID-19 Alert Level 1 can help the country with its economic recovery and reduce the effects of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, independent monitoring group OCTA Research said on Monday.

During a Laging Handa briefing, OCTA Research fellow Dr. Guido David said that the Philippine government had to take some risks to reopen the economy, considering the ongoing conflict between the two countries.

“We need this na rin eh. I mean, we need to balance public health and the economy, [but] with the growing concerns worldwide, internationally especially ‘yung Ukraine-Russia war, we have to be able to keep up with the economic impact and this is the one way of keeping up with the economic impact,” David said.

“With the Ukraine-Russia conflict, it changes the importance of things. That’s why it’s also important for us to make sure na ‘yung economic recovery natin is on its way so that ma-minimize ‘yung impact ng effects ng other countries sa ating situation (so we could minimize the effects of other countries with our situation),” he added.

Further, David said that COVID-19 cases in the country may dip to less than 1,000 per day starting this week.

“We’re projecting na by tomorrow, nasa triple number na lang ‘yung cases natin sa buong bansa (in the whole country). By next week, definitely, tuloy-tuloy na ‘yan daily([it will be continuing daily), we won’t be seeing more than 1,000 cases,” he said.

He added that the cases may decrease by around 500 per day by mid-March.

He then underscored the importance of observing the minimum public health standards to avoid a resurgence of infections.

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) approved placing the National Capital Region under a COVID-19 Alert Level 1 from March 1, 2022 until March 15, 2022. — DVM, GMA News