Año says PH still on first wave of COVID-19 infections

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the Philippines is still on its first wave of COVID-19 infections, contrary to the statement of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III  that the country is already on its second wave.

“Pag-u-usapan ‘yan (second wave) sa IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) dahil simula ang aming paguusap, ang aming focus ay kasulukuyang sitwasyon,” Año said over GMA 7’s Unang Balita when asked about Duque’s remark that the Philippines is “actually” on the second wave of COVID-19 infections.

(We will talk about that at the IATF because, in our meetings, we focus on the current situation.)

“Para sa akin kasi parang itong bungang ito ay part pa nung nagsimula tayo. Katulad ng ibang country ang pinaghahandaan natin ay susunod na wave,” he added.

(For me, I think the results show that we are still at the start. Just like other countries, what we are preparing for is the next wave.)

Año also assured the public that the government’s task force will talk about the second wave in their meetings.

“Regarding the second wave, paguusapan talaga yan sa IATF (the IATF will talk about it),” he said.

/MUF