NTF adviser Herbosa backs DOH on MECQ extension; cites high critical care capacity in NCR Plus areas




 

(Eagle News) —  The Special Adviser to the National Task Force on COVID-19 Dr. Ted Herbosa said that the critical care utilization of hospitals in Metro Manila is still high which warrants as extension of the Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) in the Philippine capital and its surrounding provinces.

In an interview with the Eagle News Service program, Balitalakayan, aired over NET 25, Dr. Herbosa also said that hospital bed utilization in Metro Manila is still high, as well as the utlization of ICU beds.

Mataas pa yung critical care utilization rate. Yung mga hospital beds, medyo mataas pa (ang occupancy) dito sa NCR plus,” he said.

Herbosa said that this is why he supports the position of the Health Secretary Francisco Duque III for the extension of MECQ in the NCR plus area which includes Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.

Sasang-ayon ako sa sinasabi ni Secretary Duque na parang dapat yata magdagdag pa ng another MECQ,” he said.

Herbosa said that the NCR plus stil needs additional time to recover and an extension of the MECQ would greatly help in this.

There should be at least 10 percent available in ICU beds, and hospital occupancy should be maintained at a steady rate of 85 percenthe said, should maintain at least 85 percent.

Puno pa rin, may waiting pa rin sa mga emergency room,” he said citing what doctors at the frontlines tell him.

-Uncertainties on COVID data –

Herbosa also explained that the “overlap, delay and lag” in data should be considered in interpreting COVID-19 statistics.  The lag in data is one to two weeks, meaning that the effect of the ECQ, and the MECQ would only be felt after one to two weeks.

He observed that because of this it will be very hard to make a decision since there are “many uncertainties” on current data. It’s like wading on uncertain waters.

Masakit sa ulo. Maraming uncertain. You are not sure. But sometimes you have to make a decision based on the little data that we have,” he said.

Herbosa said for doctors like him, there are two main factors that would determine if the quarantine protocols could be relaxed or if it should be maintained or even tightened. These is the acceleration or epidemic curve, and the critical care utilization rate.

The critical care utilization rate is still at a high level, while cases still continue to rise, although not as sharply as before.

COVID-19 virus continuing mutation with increased transmission-

The new variants should also be taken into consideration. The COVID-19 virus continues to mutate because it is an MRNA (messenger RNA) virus).  The genetic code is RNA and not DNA.  This kind of virus mutates much faster, resulting in the virus variants.  the current variants are highly infectious contributing to rise in cases. The elderly and those with comorbities are hit hard by the virus when they get infected, and it is usually from their ranks where deaths arise, Herbosa said.

“The reason why we want to stop transmission is because we want to stop the mutation,” he said.

The COVID-19 virus mutates when there is more people, thus more transmission. Therefore limiting movement and transmission would prevent mutations from happening. The fact that the virus is now confirmed to be airborne, or could be transmitted not just by droplets, but through air, makes it more dangerous, as it could reach wider distances and infect more people exposed to this.  This means people could get infected even in open spaces, Herbosa said.

Exposure to sunlight help, he said, so the body could get Vitamin D that can strengthen the body’s immune system. More air ventilation is also needed in enclosed spaces.

The fact that the COVID-19 virus is now airborne means this should be taken into consideration in the observance of minimum health protocols. The double masking requirement is technically being done already in the Philippines, because of the requirement to wear face shield.

-Balancing act-

In considering what should be the next quarantine protocol, it’s very difficult for whoever would make the decision.

“Naaawa rin ako sa magdedesisyon,” he said. In the end, it’s a balancing act over its effect on the economy and on the health system.

The MECQ ends on April 30 in the NCR Plus areas. The IATF will make its recommendations to President Duterte who will then decide on this and make the announcement on Wednesday whether to stay under MECQ, or shift to GCQ by next month.

(Eagle News Service)