Philippine capital region remains under alert level 3 despite decreasing infections

MANILA: OCT. 29 – Metro Manila will remain under alert level 3 until Nov. 14 through the number of COVID-19 cases is falling in the capital region, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Friday.

In a televised press conference, Roque said the government would allow the gradual increase of passenger capacity in public transport for road-based and rail transportation plying Metro Manila and its adjacent provinces from 70 per cent to full capacity starting Nov. 4.

This month, the government eased some lockdown rules by reopening more businesses such as dine-in restaurants and cinemas to increase economic activities.

With the number of new cases dropping significantly since the third wave of infections peaked in September, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the capital region is at a moderate risk level, while nine areas still have a seven-day positive growth rate as of Thursday.

She said the region’s average daily rate or the number of infected people per 100,000 population is still at 7.4. “The average daily attack rate needs to hit seven or below before we can deescalate to alert level 2.”

Metro Manila, home to more than 13 million people, has been the epicentre since the virus emerged in the country in January 2020.

-Xinhua