The National Economic and Development Authority has called for the resumption of face-to-face classes in schools in areas under Alert Level 1, citing the benefits to the economy.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said in an emailed statement Thursday the country could not maximize the benefits of the Alert Level 1—which prevails in 70 percent of the economy—without face-to-face classes.
Meanwhile, independent monitoring OCTA Research group said Thursday the Philippines had remained under “very low risk” category for COVID-19 as nearby countries like Vietnam, Singapore, and Brunei experienced a “severe outbreak” of infections.
OCTA fellow Dr. Guido David, in a tweet, said data as of March 22 showed the Philippines’ average daily attack rate (ADAR) decreased to 0.43 on March 22, with a seven-day average of 478 cases.
ADAR pertains to the incidence showing the average number of new cases in a period per 100,000 people.
This emerged as the country’s growth rate in new cases from the previous week as compared to the current week also went down to negative 15 percent.
The Department of Health announced Tuesday that all regions in the country remained at “minimal risk” in terms of COVID-19 case classification as the number of infections slowed down.
However, South Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Brunei all remained under the “severe” category, with South Korea still recording the highest ADAR in East Asia countries at 778.50.
Malaysia eased from the “severe” category recorded on March 18 to “very high” with an ADAR of 69.22.
Japan and Thailand, meanwhile, also fell under the “very high” category with an ADAR of 33.18 and 35.32, respectively.
Moreover, Laos recorded an ADAR of 17.27 which placed it now under “high” risk for COVID-19, while Indonesia maintained the “moderate” classification with 3.08 ADAR.
Aside from the Philippines, China, Myanmar, Cambodia, Taiwan, and Timor Leste are at “very low” risk for COVID-19, said OCTA.
In the Philippines, the National Capital Region and 47 other areas were placed under Alert Level 1 from March 16 to March 31.
Under Alert Level 1, intrazonal and interzonal travel is allowed regardless of age and comorbidities. All establishments, persons, or activities, are allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at full on-site or venue/seating capacity provided it is consistent with minimum public health standards.
The Philippines on Wednesday recorded 407 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 3,675,384.