THE OCTA Research Group has backed the government proposal to downgrade the Alert Level 3 in the National Capital Region (NCR).
OCTA Research Group member Guido David said the region is now under moderate risk in terms of Covid-19 cases after registering a daily attack rate at 5.72 percent.
He noted this was complemented by the low hospital utilization rate in theNCR at 30 percent and intensive care utilization rate, which is at 39 percent.
“So based on our reading of the data, it’s actually safe to reopen our business at this time,” David said in an online interview with PTV on Monday.
The OCTA Research Group issued the statement amid calls by some business leaders for the Alert Level in NCR to be lowered from 3 to 2 to allow more establishments to operate in the region.
Despite the promising Covid-19 data in NCR, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) decided last week to extend the Alert Level in NCR until November 15, 2021.
The IATF made the decision to determine if the further easing of health protocols in the region could lead to a higher infection rate.
Based on their observation, David said the resurgence of Covid-19 cases in the NCR with the implementation of a lower Alert Level is unlikely.
He said there is currently no new, more infectious, variant of the Covid-causing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) present in NCR, which leads to a surge in infections.
He noted also a high vaccination rate in the region, which is now at 80 percent.
“We support relaxing the Alert Level to 2 to allow our business to recover, but it should be done in a safe manner,” David said.
Read full article on BusinessMirror
