Doctors' group worried as Metro Manila eases into Alert Level 3

MANILA, October 18 ------ A group of doctors on Sunday expressed apprehension on Metro Manila's downgrade to COVID-19 Alert Level 3 as health workers have yet to breathe following the recent surge of virus cases. Doctors are also worried if government would be able to immediately respond if infections increase, said Dr. Maricar Limpin, president of the Philippine College of Physicians.

"Ang isa sa dahilan ng pangangamba namin is baka hindi makaresponde nang mabilis ang pamahalaan sa slight increase," she told ABS-CBN's TeleRadyo. "Medyo nangangamba kami na itong pagluwag na ito, base sa nakaraan, every time na nagluluwag tayo, medyo may kasamang pagkalimot ang ating mga kababayan."

Hospitals remain full even as reported infections have declined, Limpin added. "Puno pa rin kami, madami pa rin ang COVID-19 cases natin. Puno ang ICU (intensive care unit), emergency wards, although di na talaga siya tulad ng dati. Within the day, naa-admit na namin ang kailangan namin i-admit," she said. "Except kung sabihin natin nakakahinga na kami, di pa rin kami nakakahinga sa ngayon."

Some hospitals remain short-staffed due to virus infections among health workers, while there is an "expected exodus of nurses" following intensified recruitment to work in the UK and the US, Limpin said. "Sana matuloy na ang examination ng PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) para sa magiging bagong doctor natin... Ang fear talaga namin, 'di kami madadagan by January," she said.

Limpin added that she would recommend a physical distancing of 2 meters as she reminded the public to observe minimum health standards. "'Yan naman talaga ang ideal na physical distancing," she said. "Kahit pwede na tayong lumabas, kung wala tayong importanteng gagawin, 'wag na tayong lumabas. Kailangan natin proteksyunan ang ating mga sarili at mga mahal sa buhay." Metro Manila on Saturday eased to Alert Level 3, which allows limited in-person classes, and the reopening of more businesses such as amusement parks and cinemas, among others.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com