For OCTA Research, more intervention is needed to actually prevent the spread of the Delta variant.
OCTA Research fellow Guido David explained to Teleradyo that the GCQ with heightened restrictions has not been able to stop the increase in COVID-19 cases.
Although it is not that high yet, he said the reproduction number of Metro Manila, which is already 1.35, is disturbing.
He also said that this is where the reproduction number of Cebu City started last two weeks.
But now they are at 2 and the level of their cases continues to rise.
For David, another type of lockdown can be implemented as long as the spread of the Delta variant is prevented.
“Pwede naman tayong maging creative sa strategy natin. Kung ‘yung iba ‘yung gusto nilang strategy, ok lang naman ‘yun basta sana gumana ‘yung mga strategy na gagawin natin kasi umiiksi na ‘yung window natin kasi ‘pag nagpatuloy ang increase ng cases, baka next week, baka nasa 2,000 per day na tayo sa NCR from 1,000,” said David.
It will be recalled that DOH and OCTA are in conflict with the desired lockdown to prevent the spread of the Delta variant.
Additional intervention needed to prevent Delta variant – OCTA
OCTA first mentioned that they are pushing for a “circuit breaker” lockdown that is stricter than GCQ with restrictions but not as strict as MECQ to prevent the spread of the Delta variant.
But the DOH says they still oppose the implementation of the strict lockdown because jobs in some industries also depend on it.
Presidential Adviser and Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion supported the OCTA proposal.
According to Concepcion, the OCTA data is accurate and the threat of the Delta variant is dangerous, especially for those who have not been vaccinated.
But he has a plea if he will enforce a lockdown.
“We look at the lockdown this year, last March as the model, huwag ‘yung lockdown of last year na talagang hard lockdown na kailangan mong may pass bago ka lumabas sa bahay mo. So it’s something in between a very, very hard lockdown of last year and what we have today,” said Concepcion.
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