DOH: No need to wait for end of April to determine COVID-19 curve
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) does not need to wait for the end of April to determine the epidemic curve of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the impact of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
It is by the end of April that the health department aims to conduct some 8,000 to 10,000 COVID-19 daily tests. The results of which could be used as a basis for the possible extension of the ECQ.
However, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Friday explained that the country’s recent expansion of testing capacity would be enough to give a clear picture of the COVID-19 crisis, whether the number of cases have decreased or increased as a result of the ECQ.
The country currently has 16 laboratories capable of testing for COVID-19 infection. The DOH on Tuesday also began its “expanded” testing by conducting about 3,000 tests a day.
READ: Red Cross gets DOH nod to conduct COVID-19 tests
“Palagay ko, sa mga susunod na mga araw, itong ating karagdagang testing ay makakapagbibigay na ng a good approximation ng epidemic curve sa National Capital Region, Luzon at lalo na kapag kasama ang Region 4-A at Region 3,” he said in an interview over dzMM.
(I think the expanded testing in the coming days is sufficient to give a good approximation of the epidemic curve in NCR, Luzon, as well as Region 4-A and Region 3.)
“So makakapagbigay na ito ng mas malapit lapit na litrato ng ating COVID-19 epidemic curve,” Duque added.
(So this will give a clearer picture of the COVID-19 epidemic curve.)
The DOH is also relying on the input of experts in determining whether it would recommend the lifting of the ECQ or its extension.
“Hintayin na lang natin ito at kami ay magpapaliwanag kapag natanggap natin ang kanilang malinaw na rekomendasyon at siyempre bibigay din natin kay Pangulo para aprubahan,” Duque said.
(We should wait for their input and we will explain their recommendation in due time. We will also give their recommendation to the President for his approval.)
In a separate interview, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the government could extend the Luzon-wide ECQ after April 30 if COVID-19 cases in the country will continue to increase.
To date, there are 5,660 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country, with 435 recoveries and 362 fatalities.
READ: 82 more people recover from COVID-19 as confirmed cases soar to 5,660
