The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) after thorough deliberations had approved the DOH recommendations in a bid to arrest the surge in cases especially in Metro Manila and other highly-urbanized areas in the country.
With regard to businesses and establishments, the IATF underscored the need to implement risk mitigation strategies on engineering controls, ventilation and contact tracing as well the measurement of compliance and establishing baselines.
WORKING overtime to curb the rise of Covid-19 cases in the country, the Department of Health (DOH) has recommended that measures be strengthened in the enforcement and implementation of minimum public health standards.
This, as the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) after thorough deliberations had approved the DOH recommendations in a bid to arrest the surge in cases especially in Metro Manila and other highly-urbanized areas in the country.
Stricter measures
In its Resolution No. 102, the IATF outlined stricter regulations by ensuring that the wearing of face masks and face shields are done properly.
Also, the IATF reiterated the need to begin contact tracing even among suspect cases.
It said all close contacts traced must undergo 24-hour quarantine and that 100 percent of those exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should be isolated in a facility within 24 hours.
It also pushed for the monitoring of work places and other closed settings as to their case data and compliance with minimum public health standards and protocols.
It also recommended an increase in the frequency of hand-washing for at least 20 seconds each time; ensuring the observance of social distancing and proper ventilation and reducing time of interaction, if any.
The IATF also wanted for the reinforcement of correct information being disseminated on COVID-19.
StaySafe.ph
It also mandated that even suspect cases must be subjected to contact tracing and that StaySafe.ph be the main application used for the purpose down to the level of local government units (LGUs).
Moreover, suspected cases must be subjected to reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test and then isolated within 24 hours of detection.
With regard to businesses and establishments, the IATF underscored the need to implement risk mitigation strategies on engineering controls, ventilation and contact tracing as well the measurement of compliance and establishing baselines.
Returning Filipinos
The IATF insisted on the proper handover to the LGUs of returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and other incoming international travelers to ensure compliance with and completion of quarantine or isolation.
It also approved the recommendation of the IATF Technical Working Group to allow Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority to resume receiving all types of vessels for “hot/warm” layup purposes as an adjunct to its functions as a crew-change hub following the approved health and safety protocols.
GCQ won’t be lifted
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque for his part said that although President Duterte has recognized the need to re-open the economy, he also wants to balance the safety and health of all Filipinos a year since the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, there was no indication that the current quarantine classifications – particularly the general community quarantine (GCQ) status in Metro Manila – would change.
Uniform curfew hours
Instead, Roque said Metro Manila mayors have agreed to a common curfew hours from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for two weeks beginning March 15 to minimize, if not stop, the further spread of the virus.
He added the country has managed the crisis well by limiting the total number of cases and fatalities.
“The most important of course is we have limited the deaths to 2.09 (percent) of all those who are getting sick,” Roque said.
“Nevertheless, we’re seeing a rise in cases perhaps because people have grown weary of the minimum health standards and due to the entry of new variants. This is being experienced not just here in the Philippines but almost the rest of the world,” he said.
Back to square one
In reaction to the government initiatives, Sen. Joel Villanueva said containing the surge in COVID-19 cases requires more than a combination of curfews and deploying more cops.
He warned against going “back to square one” as the country nears the first anniversary of the lockdown.
“It’s so disappointing to note, this surge, that it’s been a year and we could hardly see an opportunity to SPLIT with COVID or ensure supply, personnel, list (of information) and trust,” Villanueva said via video conference.
“We’re not moving forward. We are back to square one. Now we have a spike, they blame mobility but there’s no scientific proof,” he said.
For his part, Sen. Francis Pangilinan said the government must seek help from health experts to address the situation.
“We’ve seen the effects that the spread of the virus cannot be contained with arrests, or even the detention of quarantine violators if there is no mass testing, contact tracing and isolation.”
“We need experts in public health, not experts in warfare. We need the caring hands of doctors, nurses, contact tracers and vaccinators, not the iron fist of armed men,” he said.
Sen. Panfilo Lacson ,meanwhile, agreed with the need to intensify contact tracing efforts, he backed the curfew and deployment of police officers to tighten up on the unnecessary movement of people as well as stricter implementation of the health protocols.
“The recent move to impose curfew at least in Metro Manila is a good move. And the government should really use its police power because we’re still under a state of public health emergency under Presidential Proclamation 922,” Lacson told CNN Philippines.
He also emphasized the need for the national vaccination program to succeed in attaining herd immunity.