NCR cannot yet be classified as Alert Level 4 despite having high number of infections, Palace says

Photo Credits | Inquirer.Net

By SAMANTHA NICOLE IRENEO | News Correspondents

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Monday, January 10, that the National Capital Region (NCR) does not meet the requirements to be placed under Alert Level 4 despite the recent increase of COVID-19 cases.

The NCR is currently placed under alert level 3 until January 15.

Nograles, also the acting presidential spokesman, stated that the government is monitoring the two-week growth rate (TWGR), the average daily attack rate (ADAR) and total bed utilization to assess whether the current alert level should be increased.

ADAR refers to the average number of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 individuals.

“We are actively monitoring all of the metrics and parameters na dapat nating tingnan (that we should look into) and even over and above that. As of the moment, hindi pa po siya tumatama doon sa tatlong metrics natin (the region is not hitting the three metrics) enough for it to declare Alert Level 4,” Nograles said on ANC’s Opening.

Nograles also explained that despite Metro Manila’s high TWGR and ADAR, the total bed utilization rate still falls short for alert level 4 metrics.

According to independent pandemic monitor Octa Research, Metro Manila's one-week growth rate from January 2-8 was 785%, while the ADAR is 59.81%.

“But immediately, ‘pag tumama po ‘yan (if it is reached), we will not hesitate to declare Alert Level 4 in any area, or escalate any area to Alert Level 3,” Nograles says to assure the public.