This Week in Metro Manila (April 18 to 24, 2020)

The first wave of mass testing in the Philippines started last April 14. The ongoing testing prioritizes high-risk patients, elderly with pre-existing conditions, pregnant women with mild symptoms, individuals with pre-existing conditions, health workers with respiratory symptoms, and people who have severe flu-like symptoms. The Department of Health (DOH) stated that testing will cover more sectors once the country increases its testing capacity to 8,000 per day.

As of writing, fifteen subnational laboratories in the country can conduct testing. 28 institutions are in the process of getting approval from DOH for laboratory certification and 37 have shown interest in getting certified. Those who will be prioritized in the next wave of testing will be health care workers who are not showing symptoms despite frequent exposure to infected individuals. The government hopes to have increased testing capacity to 13,000-20,000 per day before the end of the ECQ [1].

President Rodrigo Duterte stated that he will lift the Luzon ECQ once an antibody is developed against COVID-19. He also said that a giant pharmaceutical company is currently developing a possible cure using antibodies and it might be available in the market soon.

Currently, COVID-19 recovered patients have been donating their blood to hospitals in hopes that it can help in fighting the coronavirus. Individuals who recover from viruses develop antibodies that can help in improving the conditions of infected patients. The World Health Organization (WHO) have also backed the idea of using antibodies in creating a cure for COVID-19 patients [2].

As a quarantine update, residents of Malabon, Valenzuela, Quezon City, and Pasay City are now required to wear face masks every time they go outside. The mayors of each city have signed ordinances in their area that will prohibit any individual from going outside without wearing face masks [3].

In Malabon City, Mayor Lenlen Oreta signed Executive Order No. 20-04-02-015. The copy is displayed at the entrance of all private commercial establishments. In Valenzuela City, their “Wear Your Face Mask Ordinance” imposes a fine of PhP1,000 for first violation, PhP3,000 for second, and PhP5,000 for third.Residents are allowed to wear reusable or DIY masks such as handkerchiefs in case surgical masks are unavailable. In Quezon City, violators will be penalized with a fine of PhP20,000 to PhP50,000 or imprisonment of one to six months [4]. Lastly, Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano also imposed Executive Order No. 47, which makes surgical masks mandatory for residents.

The Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) started their free towing service for all vehicles at CAVITEX and CALAX last April 10 and it will be effective until April 30 [5]. In case of vehicular breakdowns, drivers can message the official Facebook page of CALAX or CAVITEX. Drivers may also call the following hotlines:

CAVITEX: (02) 165-8888

CAVITEX C5 Link: 1-35000

CALAX: 1-35000

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on April 15 that the PNP-HPG will issue tickets to private vehicles with “unauthorized” passengers along EDSA and SLEX. Unauthorized passengers include persons who are not essential workers, frontliners, persons with medical emergencies, and medical and health workers. If the person inside the vehicle is unauthorized, the driver will be issued with a Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) violation receipt or Land Transportation Office (LTO) temporary operator’s permit.

MMDA Asec. Pialago stated that quarantine passes should not be used in another city. Drivers of private vehicles who will be caught violating will have their licenses confiscated by the LTO.

The Philippine National Police warned the public that they will charge individuals who will not observe social distancing in public markets. PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac also mentioned that not practicing proper social distancing is a violation of the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act [6]. According to Banac, more or less than 500 policemen in Metro Manila will be deployed to monitor big public markets.

Due to reports of overcrowding in Blumentritt Market, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno issued a stricter market schedule to improve social distancing among residents. The new schedule will cater to both Manila and non-Manila residents. Manila residents will be allowed to enter the market from 5:00 AM to noon, while non-Manila residents can access the market from noon to 4:00 PM [7]. Moreno also said residents from Quezon City and Caloocan are allowed to enter since the market is near the boundary of the said areas.

The Land Bank of the Philippines said that all of their branches are following strict social distancing as individuals continue to get cash assistance from the government. The bank stated that they are coordinating with the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in aiding the 36,946 PUV drivers in Metro Manila who would be given PhP8,000 cash assistance. Landbank and LTFRB have agreed to accommodate at least 500 beneficiaries per branch daily to control queuing and shorten waiting time. Landbank also sought the help of the PNP for crowd management and safety of clients [8].

The Philippines is currently the leading country in Southeast Asia with the most COVID-19 cases. As of writing, the country currently has over 5,000 confirmed cases, 349 deaths, and 353 recoveries. Malaysia follows with total cases of 4,683. Timor-Leste is at the last spot with two cases.

The Department of Health (DOH) released new classifications of individuals for COVID-19. The new classification follows the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO). Under it, persons under monitoring (PUMs) or those who have been exposed to the virus but show no symptoms will no longer be included. PUMs are assumed to have been exposed via local transmissions [9]. Persons under investigations (PUI) or those who have symptoms varying from mild, severe, and critical that were not tested or waiting for results will be considered as Suspect. PUIs with inconclusive results will be classified as Probable. Individuals who will test positive will be classified as Confirmed.

A new mobile app that can help hospitals track the current state of their facilities was developed by the DOH. The DataCollect app uses daily data gathered from hospitals to disclose the status of resources and supplies, capacities, availability of beds, isolation room, ICU beds and medical ventilators, and human resources [10]. The app also will be able to calculate the need of PPEs so that logistic offices can deliver supplies. The app’s data can be viewed in real time through DOH’s website.

Free shipping for essential goods is now offered by Lazada. It is capped at PhP50 with a minimum spend of PhP750 [11]. This will be applicable for the following goods:

• alcohols and sanitizers

• personal care items

• vitamins and supplements

• baby personal care

• fresh meat and vegetables

• canned goods

• snacks

• beverages

• household supplies

Go to Yoorekka for more COVID-19 updates in Metro Manila.