[EDITORIAL] Alert Level 3 aimed to thwart Omicron in Palawan

The Puerto Princesa City’s Incident Management Team (IMT) announced that the city will be placed under Alert Level 3 starting January 21 until January 31. The measure is seen to prevent the further transmission of the Omicron variant considering a patient already got infected with it.

The Palawan Provincial Health Office said that the first patient recorded with COVID-19 Omicron variant is a 26-year old female from El Nido town who has tested positive after a week-long stay in Metro Manila.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Area IV in Puerto Princesa City announced recently that it is strictly implementing the “No Vaccination, No Entry” policy for travelers coming from and leaving for Metro Manila.

This is in line with the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) and the national CAAP’s policy to encourage safety measures in public transportation by allowing only fully-vaccinated individuals to travel. The policy was first announced by the DOTr in a department order dated January 11.

Experts said Omicron’s characteristics that include a shortened case doubling time resulted in the sharp spike in the number of cases though mild in nature.

Health authorities said that the increased mobility during the holiday season, reduced health protocol compliance, and delays in detection and isolation were the primary drivers of the Omicron surge.

The emergence of the Omicron variant reminds us that the Covid-19 pandemic is not yet over, we should maintain the economic recovery at pace, after economic slowdown caused by the pandemic.

For the sake of prudence, health authorities and the general public should be more watchful and circumspect..

Fast-tracking the nationwide vaccination drive, including booster shots, is a good strategy. Still, more people should be mindful of the basic health reminders such as wearing face masks properly, avoiding crowds and washing hands often.

Neither the vaccines, including the booster nor obedience and strict observance to the protocols should be viewed as freedom to behave as if Covid-19 has already been eliminated.

We should always take extra precautions to protect ourselves, our families and the people around us.

Placing Puerto Princesa City under Alert Level 3 will help us stop and prevent possible spread of Omicron within the locality.