NTF adviser: Alert level system to be used in monitoring other new diseases

The alert level system may be integrated in the government’s epidemiological surveillance of new diseases including COVID-19, National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 medical adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa said Wednesday.

Herbosa said this in response to the recommendation of Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion of a three-tier COVID-19 alert level system, which would function similarly to the tropical cyclone warning system.

Concepcion then pointed out this proposal will only be in place when there is a surge in cases.

“Agree ako. But ang tawag namin medically is ‘endemic’ ‘yung disease. So, may surveillance pa rin. Binabantayan ‘yung mga number of cases na na-hospital dahil sa COVID-19 at nate-test. Kapag ito’y biglang dumami, magde-deklara tayo ng alert level na tapat doon sa dami ng cases na nangyayari,” Herbosa said during the Laging Handa briefing,

[I agree. But we call it ‘endemic’ in medical terms. So, there is still surveillance. We will declare an alert level that is apt with the number of cases recorded in hospitals and tested for COVID-19.]

“Nandiyan na ‘yan. The alert level system will be a part of our epidemiological surveillance of mga bagong sakit kagaya nitong COVID-19,” he added.

[It is there. The alert level system will be a part of our epidemiological surveillance of new diseases such as COVID-19.]

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III previously said the government is studying the possibility of further easing the country's COVID-19 status to Alert Level 0

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority earlier said Metro Manila mayors will recommend such a shift to Alert Level 0.

However, Herbosa emphasized that easing to Alert Level 0 does not mean that there is no longer COVID-19 in the country.

“Dahil marami pa tayong problema, sabi nga ni Usec. Vergeire, baka akalan ng mga kababayan natin kapag nilagay tayo sa walang alert level, ay wala nang COVID. Hindi po ganon. Tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang COVID,” he said.

[As Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said, because we still have a lot of problems, our countrymen may think that when we are placed at no alert level, there is no more COVID. It's not like that. COVID is still here.]

“Kaya ako’y sang-ayon sa pahayag ng ating IATF na tuloy tayo to Alert Level 1 hanggang March 31 sapagkat nandyan lang ang COVID at anytime pwede siyang mag-reemerge at magkaroon ng outbreak,” he added.

[That’s why I agree with the statement of our IATF that we will continue to Alert Level 1 until March 31 because COVID is still there and anytime it can reemerge and have an outbreak.]

The National Capital Region and 47 other areas are under Alert Level 1 from March 16 to March 31.

Under Alert Level 1, intrazonal and interzonal travel shall be allowed without regard to age and comorbidities. All establishments, persons, or activities, are allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at full on-site or venue/seating capacity provided it is consistent with minimum public health standards. — RSJ, GMA News