Laguna to be placed under Alert Level 3

MANILA, Philippines — The government’s pandemic task force yesterday approved the recommendation of its data analytics group to place Laguna under Alert Level 3 because of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the province.

Acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said the alert status would take effect from tomorrow until Jan. 15.

Earlier yesterday, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III told a Go Negosyo forum that the Department of Health’s Epidemiology Bureau is “evaluating the metrics” to determine whether Laguna would be added to the list of areas under the stricter Alert Level 3.

The metrics pertain to the two-week growth rate, average daily attack rate per 100,000 people and health system capacity.

If established that these metrics are at high risk, Duque said Laguna would be escalated to Alert Level 3.

On Tuesday, Malacañang announced that Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal will be under Alert Level 3 starting yesterday until Jan. 15 due to a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases.

The government had earlier placed Metro Manila under Alert Level 3 from Jan. 3 to 15.

In areas under Alert Level 3, establishments are allowed to operate at 30 percent capacity indoors and 50 percent outdoors for fully vaccinated persons.

Workers of these establishments should also be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

‘Bureaucratic process’

Meanwhile, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has expressed frustration over bureaucratic process, saying these hampered the rehiring of contact tracers.

“They’re available, but who would want to work if they know there’s no salary; unless they volunteer,” Magalong said in an interview with “The Chiefs” on One News Tuesday night.

Citing the latest update from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Magalong said funds from the Department of Budget and Management would be available only by next month.

“There is a bureaucratic process… and unfortunately the money is not yet available,” he said.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año had earlier appealed to Congress for funding to hire 25,000 contact tracers this year.

Magalong said having few contact tracers is a big challenge with the country facing another surge in infections. – Emmanuel Tupas