Amid reports of a declining COVID-19 reproduction rate, Metro Manila may be placed under a less-stringent alert level from the current Alert Level 4 set to lapse by the end of the month, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benhur Abalos said yesterday.

Two aspiring doctors shared the top spot in the country’s second Physician Licensure Examination for 2021, administered this month by the Professional Regulation Commission Board of Medicine.

Amid the investigation by Congress of the Department of Health procurement of overpriced and substandard medical supplies for the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency has adopted an automated tracking system for such supplies.

Barangay Poblacion Norte in this town was placed under total lockdown starting yesterday until Oct. 2 as COVID-19 cases surged.

There was a bit of good news this weekend in the National Capital Region, where a new COVID alert system combined with granular lockdowns is being pilot-tested.