Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Monday hinted at a possible downgrade of alert level in the National Capital Region (NCR) once the average daily attack rate (ADAR) and two-week growth rate of COVID-19 cases go down.
"Kapag bumaba ang ADAR natin, sigurado mabilis pa sa alas-kwatro, mag-alert level 2 tayo," he told DZRH in an interview.
(If ADAR goes down, we will surely go quickly under Alert Level 2.)
According to Duque, Metro Manila's current ADAR per 100,000 population remains at high risk, while its two-week growth rate is at 119%.
"Kapag binagga mo 'yung dalawa, nasa high risk pa rin siya," he said.
(If you put them together, it is still at high risk.)
He also pointed out that the utilization rate of total beds, including the intensive care unit beds, is at Alert Level 3 on their metrics.
However, he assured that once the two-week growth rate continues to drop, a downgrade is possible.
"Oo naman kapag ang ating two-week growth rate ay magpapatuloy na bababa," he said.
(Of course, if our two-week growth rate continues to go down.)
The National Capital Region (NCR) has been placed under Alert Level 3 since January 3, and will remain under current restrictions until the end of January.
Under Alert Level 3, select establishments are allowed to operate at 30% indoor venue capacity for fully vaccinated individuals, while 50% for outdoor venue capacity.
The "no vaccine, no labas" policy is also in effect while a region is placed under Alert Level 3 or higher.
