As COVID-19 cases rise, DOH says masks not a must

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) yesterday disputed circulating reports on the revival of the mandatory face mask policy in the National Capital Region even as the COVID positivity rate in the NCR has risen anew.

Contrary to reports, the DOH said Metro Manila is still under Alert Level 1, “which means restrictions remain to be in status quo.”

“The DOH continues to remind the public to be mindful of the information we share and source information from reputable sources,” the DOH said in an advisory.

The DOH noted that the current alert level system is still under discussion by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

According to false information circulating online, face masks must be worn at all times both indoors and outdoors, in private and public establishments, and in public transportation, the DOH said.

But existing policy provides that wearing face masks in indoor and outdoor settings shall be voluntary, except in healthcare facilities, medical transport and public transportation by land, air or sea.

The DOH, however, reiterated that local government units have the power to implement particular policies in their respective areas.

“Local government units have the jurisdiction to require certain health protocols in their communities through a local ordinance,” the DOH said.

Positivity rate now at 11.4% – OCTA

While new cases remain low, more people are testing positive for COVID-19 in the NCR, according to the OCTA Research group.

From 10.6 percent on Monday, the region’s seven-day positivity rate rose to 11.4 percent on Tuesday, OCTA fellow Guido David said, citing data from the DOH.

The positivity rate measures the percentage of positive results out of the total number of tests conducted.

DOH data only reflect RT-PCR tests and not the more common antigen tests.

This, David said earlier, could mean that the actual number of cases is higher than official data.

The country reported 315 new cases on Tuesday, including 138 in NCR, with most areas still considered under “low risk.”

The government has maintained the alert levels imposed across the country this month, including 26 areas under Alert Level 2.

While these areas have low risk classification for cases and hospital utilization, the DOH noted that they have vaccination rates that are lower than 70 percent of the target population, the total number of senior citizens or both.

Also on Tuesday, the DOH reported the detection of the country’s first case of XBB.1.16, also known as the “Arcturus” subvariant of Omicron, which was reported to be spreading rapidly in at least 33 countries. Lawyer Joel Anthony Viado, once the personal choice of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla for Bureau of Immigration (BI) commissioner, has been appointed as one of its deputy commissioners.

In a statement yesterday, the BI said that Viado officially reported to work last Monday. He was welcomed by Commissioner Norman Tansingco.

In August last year, Remulla said he recommended Viado as BI chief to Malacañang.

But in September, President Marcos picked Tansingco, a long-time BI official, to head the bureau.

Viado’s appointment to the BI’s second highest post was signed on April 12 and announced on April 14.

Viado holds a degree in political science and finished law in the University of the Philippines. He entered the Philippine Bar in 1999. He was previously a partner of the Dario Reyes Hocson & Viado Law Firm.

He began his career in law as a legal counsel of multinational corporations engaged in construction operations all over Asia, Europe and the United States.

He also served in the Presidential Management Staff during the term of former president Joseph Estrada.

Viado has extensive experience in the public and private sectors, having served with Congress.