Duterte warns vs second, third wave of COVID-19 infections

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night warned Filipinos against the “second” and “third” wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections in the country as he reiterated the importance of physical distancing.

“Itong epidemic or pandemic hindi ito natapos na sabihin mo ‘yung nasa ospital, ‘yung ginagamot ngayon, ‘yon ‘yung first wave. May second wave ito,” Duterte said in his late-night public address.

[This pandemic is not over yet. The ones in the hospitals being treated are the first wave. There’s still a second wave coming.]

 “Habang namamatay ‘yung unang tinamaan, ospital o sa bahay, ‘yung iba na nahawa lang bago lang, ‘yon ‘yung ang — sila ang second wave. Tapos ‘yung third wave ‘yung panghuli pero paliit na ‘yan,” he added.

[While the first cases are dying, others are being infected and they are the second wave. And the third wave, the last one will be lesser than the first waves.]

“‘Yan ang ibig sabihin kung bakit kayo i-maintain ninyo ang social distancing or the distant rule,” he stressed.

[That’s why we need to maintain the social distancing or the distant rule.]

The Philippines as of Monday confirmed 4,932 cases of COVID-19, with 315 deaths and 242 patients who recovered.

The virus, which was first detected in Hubei, China late last year, causes mild symptoms such as fever and cough for most people but experts warned that older adults with preexisting health conditions were more vulnerable to the coronavirus, particularly those aged over 60-years-old.

To prevent infection, authorities are urging people to practice regular hand washing, cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, and avoid close contact with those who show respiratory symptoms.

/atm