The Department of Health 11 clarified that Davao City is expected to intensify the implementation of the PDITR strategies or the Prevent, Detect, Isolate, Treat, Reintegrate and Vaccinate following the inclusion of Davao City declared by the DOH as under alert level 4.
DOH XI Head of Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit Dr. Rachel Joy Pasion explained that the alert levels are measured inorder to identify areas and their alert levels and the different strategies that need to be done.
“ There are four alert levels and these are measured through the two-week or one-week growth rate of COVID19 cases and we have been using this in determining risk classification”, Dr. Pasion said.
The DOH on Saturday announced that Davao City is included in the 37 areas in the country which are under alert level 4 or areas which have risk classification that is moderate to critical and the bed utilization rate is more than 70 percent.
Pasion further explained that areas under alert level 4 will have to continue and intensify genome sequencing, testing, contact tracing, triage management, treatment, and vaccination.
“ Case surveillance and contact tracing must be intensified and we should prioritize the F1 and asymptomatics. Aggressive community testing is very important”, she explained.
Another strategy that is expected to be done following the identification of an area under the highest alert level is the prioritization of these areas to get more vaccine supplies as compare to areas under low risk alert level.
The DOH also identified action points that may possibly be done to increase address the increasing case data and high hospital utilization rates.
Action points include granular lockdowns; active case finding; for areas with local Delta variant cases, rapid antigen test can be utilized; urgent need to increase hospital beds; and health care capacity issues must not only be addressed on an LGU level but on a regional and national level.
Davao City is the only area in Region XI identified under alert level 4 while it is joined by Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, Camiguin, and General Santos City in the entire Mindanao. (PIA XI/Frances Mae Macapagat)
