NCR ‘ripe’ for Alert Level 1: Duque

MANILA – Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Thursday the National Capital Region (NCR) is “ripe” for deescalation to Alert Level 1.

NCR’s current two-week growth rate is negative and average daily attack rate is at moderate risk, Duque said during a televised public briefing.

“Kapag ibinangga mo ‘yung dalawa, ang katumbas is a low-risk classification; samantalang ang kanilang healthcare utilization rate naman ay below 30 percent, so mababa din, low risk (Putting both factors against each other, the result is a low-risk classification; while its healthcare utilization rate is below 30 percent, it’s also low, low risk),” he added.

However, the region must be able to vaccinate against coronavirus 80 percent of its senior citizens and 70 percent of its target population to achieve a less restrictive alert level.

NCR’s senior citizen target population is 1,222,154. Out of the total number about 1,025,000 are fully vaccinated, which translates to 83.90 percent coverage.

“So, sa kanilang pangkalahatan naman, ‘yung target population, lampas na sila sa 80 percent. In fact, ang NCR 100 percent nga of its target population (generally, with its target population, it has exceeded 80 percent. In fact, NCR is 100 percent of its target population, fully vaccinated – ito ay 101.66 percent to be exact),” Duque said.

He added that the IATF would discuss other areas that may have reached the metrics and are also ready for de-escalation to Alert Level 1.

To avoid an uptick in cases in areas scaling down to Alert Level 1, Duque said minimum public health standards must be observed strictly.

Consequently, the IATF will review its omnibus guidelines on the alert level system.

“We will be more specific in terms kung ano ba ‘yung mga activities (We will be more specific in terms of [the kind of] activities [for the public] that will be allowed,” Duque said.