The COVID-19 infections nationwide could leap to over 700 per day by February if compliance with the minimal public well being requirements lower and different extremely transmissible variants enter the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) warned Tuesday.
In a press convention, DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire mentioned that based mostly on their newest projections, the COVID-19 circumstances could enhance as much as 730 by February 15 if this occurs.
However, she mentioned the determine will not be solid in stone and is simply an estimation by DOH to assist the nation put together.
Further, Vergeire mentioned that whereas the division noticed a decline in COVID-19 circumstances nationwide, it recorded a one % enhance on Tuesday.
“But this is not significant for us to say that there really is this uptick in cases as a result of the holiday season. Patuloy nating babantayan ito. We will continuously monitor and hopefully, this will remain to be at that point or at that level na hindi na talagang tumataas nang husto,” she mentioned.
(We will proceed to watch this, and hopefully, this may stay to be at that time or at that degree that the circumstances would probably not enhance a lot anymore.)
Black Nazarene
Vergeire mentioned the DOH will observe for 2 weeks to see if the Black Nazarene feast had an impact within the COVID-19 transmission within the nation, notably within the National Capital Region (NCR).
She inspired devotees to look at themselves for COVID-19 signs and carry on sporting masks not less than for the subsequent 5 days.
“Nakita po natin ang ating kababayan na though talagang dikit-dikit sila, most of them are sporting their masks. Marami sa kanila, naka-maskara sila at marami sa kanila kapag nakakausap namin ‘pag pumupunta sila sa aming tent, ay nandiyan pa rin ang kanilang pag-aagam agam na baka magkaron ng sakit kaya medyo nag-iingat talaga sila,” she said.
(We have seen our countrymen that although they gathered really close together, most of them were still wearing their masks. Many of them also told us that they are still worried that they might get sick so they are really careful.)
As of Tuesday, 6 a.m., the DOH recorded 1,046 consultations among devotees who participated in the activities for the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
Based on the agency’s current information, the bulk or 788 of those consultations had been cardio-related circumstances, together with those that had hypertension, hypotension, chest ache and blood strain monitoring, amongst others.
There had been 148 neurological-related circumstances like complications and dizziness, whereas 85 had been trauma-related circumstances similar to wounds and lacerations.
Thirteen had been consultations on respiratory points like these affected by bronchial asthma and having issue in respiration.
Seven gastro-related circumstances had been additionally recorded, together with these with stomach ache and unfastened bowel motion. There had been 5 different consultations logged, which circumstances weren’t specified.
State of calamity
Vergeire burdened the significance of the declaration of state of calamity within the Philippines as COVID-19 nonetheless exists.
She mentioned the company will search different measures on the nation’s COVID-19 response if President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. decides to not lengthen the state of calamity.
Vergeire recalled that the DOH beneficial to the Office of the President an extra extension of the state of calamity within the nation earlier than the 12 months 2022 ended.
“Accordingly, mukhang hindi pa nadedesisyunan, but he has verbalized in one of his media outings that he is quite hesitant to extend the state of calamity. Having that, syempre kami naman, we are planning for other options,” she mentioned.
Marcos earlier mentioned he isn’t eager to delay the state of calamity, including that it was the “wrong mindset” with which to welcome the New Year.
Should it not be prolonged, Vergeire mentioned that the DOH can nonetheless proceed with its vaccination program as a result of vaccines with emergency use authorization (EUA) are granted a one 12 months validity based mostly on the prevailing legislation.
“It is still significant kasi hindi rin naman lang ‘yung vaccination natin ang pinag-uusapan. We’re talking about other conditions na nakapasok sa state of calamity katulad nung tax exemptions natin when we procure for these vaccines and other commodities that we need for COVID-19 response,” she mentioned.
(It remains to be vital as a result of we’re not solely speaking about vaccination. We’re speaking about different situations underneath the state of calamity like our tax exemptions once we procure for these vaccines and different commodities that we’d like for COVID-19 response.)
She additionally identified that the healthcare staff’ well being emergency allowance can be anchored on the state of calamity.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
