China Overseas Chinese Network, February 9. According to the Philippine "World Daily" WeChat public account "Philippines Express", Philippine Health Secretary Duque and officials of the National Anti-epidemic Working Group said that if the number of new coronary pneumonia cases continues to decline, the Philippines may take epidemic prevention measures. Alert level reduced to minimum.
Duque said the Philippines' health system capacity is based on two indicators: total hospital bed occupancy and intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy, both of which are at low risk.
"If the number of new crown cases continues to decrease and reaches the threshold for implementing the first-level epidemic prevention alert, we will implement it immediately. There is nothing to prevent us from easing restrictions. Of course, the sooner the better."
"That's why the government is actively promoting the vaccination program," he stressed.
Metro Manila's mayors are ready to move to the lowest level of COVID-19 alert to allow more industries to resume operations as the number of infections dwindles, said the acting director of the Metro Manila Development Agency (MMDA).
Acting Administrator Canadian Artus noted in a news conference that recent new cases of Covid-19 in the region have been on a downward trend.
"The trend will continue. By the end of this month, it will drop to around 1,000 cases per day. We expect to be in alert level 1 soon, and Metro Manila mayors are ready to reopen industries and sectors," he said.
He said the mayors are studying a proposal by the president's corporate affairs adviser, Mr. Kang Xishang, to ask Metro Manila departments to provide proof of Covid-19 vaccine booster shots in the coming months.