Updates from the July 30, 2020 IATF-EID Briefing

Here are updates from the 30 July 2020 IATF-EID briefing:

1. GENERAL UPDATES FROM THE NTF FOR COVID-19

• The NTF currently implementing Operational Plan Phase 2 (July to September), which will focus on the roles of LGUs in implementing localized lockdowns. LGUs, private companies and all citizens are enjoined to do their responsibility during these localized lockdowns.

• NTF works to ensure that the contact tracing capacity of LGUs will reach the benchmark set by Contract Tracing Czar Mayor Magalong of 1:37.

• The DOH is planning to procure 250,000 high-flow cannulas (HFNCs) to prevent the need for intubation. An HFNC is a breathing support system hailed as a safer alternative than mechanical ventilators.

• PRRD aims to make potential COVID vaccine available to at least 60 million individuals.

• The NTF is appealing to pharmaceutical companies to lower the prices of medicines used to treat COVID-19 such as Remdesivir and Avigan.

• Evacuation centers are currently being converted to health isolation centers.

2. UPDATES FROM THE NTF TESTING CZAR

• Healthcare workers will regularly undergo testing as well as other non-medical frontliners such as soldiers, police, security guards, drivers, and other professions with regular contact with the masses, all covered by PhilHealth.

• Cashiers, sales persons in malls, waiters in restaurants in declared special concerned areas will have access to free testing. Frontline workers such as receptionists in hotels, waiters, and tour guides in tourist priority zones or eco-zones are also eyed to have access to free testing.

• The Philippines is second to South Korea in the number of tests conducted in Asia. The Philippines conducted 1.4 million tests while South Korea conducted 1.5 million tests.

• There are currently 94 testing laboratories nationwide and the NTF is targeting to conduct 2 million PCR tests by August.

• Pilot testing for pooled testing is being conducted in NCR and other hotspots. Pooled testing may lower the costs of testing significantly since at least 10 individuals at a time may be tested using one test kit.

3. UPDATES FROM THE NTF TREATMENT CZAR

• Usec. Verga clarified that we are only in the "danger zone" for our ICU and isolation facilities capacity.

• Not all public and private hospitals are following the minimum 30\\% allocation of bed capacity for COVID patients.

• 22 mega quarantine facilities are expected to open in NCR in two to three weeks.

4. UPDATES FROM THE NTF CONTACT TRACING CZAR

• Only 640 LGUs responded thus far in the contact tracing diagnostic questionnaire to assess the contact tracing capability of LGUs.

• Based on their assessment, 0.68\\% of 640 respondents have established sufficient contact tracing mechanisms.

• Areas for improvement include cognitive interviewing skills and use of analytical tools.

• Next steps for the team include changing into a contact tracing ecosystem to utilize technology and tap more interviewers and barangay health workers. There is also ongoing coordination with the DICT to use digital tracing systems to complement the traditional methods.

• Mayor Magalong already conducted training in six regions.

5. OTHER UPDATES

• Invigorated COVID response include the PCR testing of 60,000 Grab drivers in Quezon City. All frontliners including drivers of taxies, jeepneys, and tricycles are included in the expanded testing.

• Re-categorization of Category IV industries to Category III and to be allowed to operate with 30\\% capacity starting on August 1:

- Testing and tutorial centers

- Review centers

- Gyms, fitness centers, and sports facilities

- Internet cafés

- Personal grooming and aesthetic services (hair, nail, skin care, and full-body massage)

- Pet grooming

- Drive-in cinemas

• Allowed under MGCQ beginning August 1:

- Full body massage

- Tattoo and body piercing

- Live events

- Entertainment industries

- Libraries, archives, museums, and cultural centers

- Tourist destinations

- Language, driving, dance/acting/voice schools

6. RESPONSE TO THE OVP'S ADDRESS

• Validation of all submitted encoded data for 24 hours prior to its publication: review, checking for data consistency, and completeness

• Faster turnaround time of tests have been achieved from two weeks in March, one week in May, to 48-72 hours in July, due to increased number of laboratories, automation of processes, and access to testing reagents.

• On LSIs, there were many individuals who did not register online but still arrived during the event.

• One press briefing to be devoted on the illustration of the implementation of blended learning and VP Leni is invited to witness DepEd’s dry run.

7. UPDATES FROM THE LGU OF QUEZON CITY

• Quezon City has a 60\\% patient recovery rate. Mayor Joy Belmonte cited the quarantine facilities which contribute to the recovery rate and close coordination with the DPWH and Sec. Dizon.

• In terms of COVID cases per 100,000 population, Quezon City is not in the top 10 cities.

• The QC Government committed that they will have 600 contact tracers by mid-August in compliance with the recommendations of Mayor Magalong.

• Special concern lockdown areas are monitored for community transmission. 14-day lockdowns are implemented in these areas or even for a month, if necessary, before lifting lockdown.