DOH: NCR Alert Level 1 depends on sustained low-risk metrics

The Department of Health (DOH) stated that the National Capital Region's (NCR) deescalation to Alert Level 1 is contingent upon sustained low-risk metrics for one month.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that it is not impossible for the NCR to be deescalated to Alert Level 1 by December.

Vergeire noted that the NCR meets almost all the requirements for Alert Level 1, which include sustaining a low-risk classification for two incubation periods and having sufficient vaccine coverage.

An area must have vaccinated 70% of its senior citizens and persons with comorbidities, as well as 50% of its target population, to qualify for Alert Level 1.

The NCR's average daily cases from November 8 to 14 is 435, slightly higher than its record on November 1 to 7 at 404 cases.

For the period of November 1 to 14, its average daily attack rate is 6.24 and a two-week growth rate of -52 percent.

Mobility, adherence to minimum public health standards, and the response of local government units are crucial factors in this decision.

The DOH anticipates that increased mobility coupled with low compliance to health standards could lead to a rise in COVID-19 cases.

Vergeire urged the public to cooperate in maintaining a low number of cases to facilitate the eventual transition to Alert Level 1.