Thread by @cnnphilippines

THREAD: @iampinkywebb speaks to OCTA Research fellow @iamguidodavid and @teamphilhealth spokesperson Shirley Domingo on #TheSource

• Metro Manila eases to Alert Level 2
• OCTA says NCR reverses Delta COVID-19 surge
• PhilHealth appeals to hospitals not to cut ties

@iamguidodavid OCTA fellow @iamguidodavid: COVID-19 figures are lower than the period before Delta surge... Alert Level 2 in Metro Manila is timely for businesses to recover what they lost.

@iamguidodavid OCTA fellow @iamguidodavid: Fewer than 1,000 daily new COVID-19 cases possible by end of November. If this continues, we'll really have a good Christmas.

@iamguidodavid OCTA fellow @iamguidodavid: COVID-19 situation improving in Zamboanga City, Occidental Mindoro, and parts of Region 2

@iamguidodavid OCTA fellow @iamguidodavid: We're seeing the effects of Alert Level 3. It's decreasing at a faster rate, which is a pleasant surprise. It beat our projection.

@iamguidodavid OCTA fellow @iamguidodavid on eased restrictions: We're not seeing potential problems right now, but we still have to comply with health standards

@iamguidodavid OCTA fellow @iamguidodavid on increased capacity in PUVs: There's some concern about not following social distancing. We have to recalibrate strategies if cases increase.

@iamguidodavid OCTA fellow @iamguidodavid: Most Metro Manila residents are now vaccinated. This is the tipping point.

@iamguidodavid OCTA fellow @iamguidodavid says waning vaccine efficacy is a concern: Strongly consider booster shots to those who need it most

@iamguidodavid OCTA fellow @iamguidodavid on face shield policy: We haven't really put in much research in it. Ever since it was implemented, we just assumed the studies cited were honest... But right now, I think face shields may not give significant layer of protection.

The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines said PhilHealth still owes private hospitals around ₱20 billion as of August.

PhilHealth spokesperson Shirley Domingo: The number changes everyday. ₱16B is what's in our offices now, but not all are delayed claims.

PhilHealth: We've released some amount to hospitals while processing claims

PhilHealth: We're streamlining processing of claims... We have medical prepayment review before processing.

PhilHealth says there are enough funds to pay claims

PhilHealth appeals to hospitals not to cut ties.

PhilHealth: We hope the situation will not reach that. Our president himself has been talking to PHAPi to iron out issues. In the end, it will be fellow Filipinos who won't benefit from that arrangement.