Mayor to adjust protocols as WHO lifts global health emergency status

By John Noel E. Herrera

The Iloilo City Government will adjust several health protocols in the city, particularly the guidelines on the mandatory wearing of face masks, after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is no longer a global health emergency – a status which has been active since January 2020.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas confirmed the plan, but noted that he could not immediately determine the adjustments as the city government still need to study the existing ordinance on face masks and other rules.

“With WHO declaring the end of the pandemic, the city will restudy and find adjustments in its EO (Executive Order) on the mandatory wearing of face masks,” Treñas said in a statement.

The mayor noted that he would meet with the city’s COVID-19 team this week to discuss issues surrounding the infection, which include the cases, status of vaccination, and the needed adjustments to health protocols in the metro.

Treñas added that they would try to issue the new guidelines as soon as possible even as he reminded the public to get vaccinated as it is still the best line of defense against the virus and possible complications.

In April 2023, the city government decided to reimpose the mandatory wearing of facemasks in closed and crowded areas as COVID-19 cases in the city gradually increased.

Treñas, who also heads the Local Health Board (LHB), issued Advisory No. 1, series of 2023, advising the public to follow protocol on wearing face masks pursuant to Department of Health (DOH) Department Memorandum No. 2022-0433 and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Executive Order No. 03 series of 2022.

Under the advisory, face masks are mandatory in all indoor settings (public and private establishments) and all public transport (air, land, and sea), as well as in outdoor areas where physical distancing cannot be implemented.

While wearing masks is voluntary in open spaces and in other outdoor areas “with good ventilation”, several persons are still “strongly encouraged” to wear masks and observe the one-meter distancing at all times.

Data from the City Health Office (CHO) indicated that Iloilo City has 82 active COVID-19 cases, with four new cases reported on Sunday, May 7, 2023.

The city’s healthcare utilization rate (HCUR), which indicates the occupancy of hospital beds dedicated to COVID-19 patients in Iloilo City, remained at low risk at 25.62 percent.

In Iloilo province, there is still no confirmation yet on any adjustment to health protocols following the WHO’s declaration.

The provincial government did not reimpose the mandatory wearing of face masks despite the spike in cases recently.

Defensor earlier explained that there is no need to make adjustments to the COVID-19 protocols despite the spike in cases and the first reported XBB.1.16 subvariant case in the province as the healthcare utilization rate (HCUR) and Average Daily Attack Rate (ADAR) in Iloilo remain low.

Data from Iloilo Provincial Health Office IPHO indicated that the province’s ADAR is only at 0.26 percent while its HCUR is at 37.52 percent.

The province has a total of 948 active COVID-9 cases, with 15 new reported cases on Monday, May 8, 2023, based on DOH-6 data.