Look to science before lifting COVID-19 state of calamity — Duque

FILE PHOTO: A passenger sits inside a tricycle covered with a reminder to wear a mask, part of COVID-19 health protocols, in Manila in February. AFP

MANILA, Philippines — The incoming president should look to science before lifting the state of calamity declared in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, outgoing Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

According to Duque, the “unpredictability” of the COVID-19 virus remains a challenge.

“I hope that the new president will assess the situation if there’s any plan to lift it,” the health chief said, referring to the state of calamity declared by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The said declaration was extended until September 2022, or three months beyond Duterte’s term.

“I hope they (next administration) will really take time to study and to look at the metrics and what new information and science offer in terms of the evolving variants of concern. Kasi notorious ito e [Because this is notorious],” Duque said during Wednesday’s Kapihan sa Manila Bay.

“Ang talagang challenge dito is yung [The challenge here is really the] unpredictability of the virus,” he added.

‘Contained’ spread?

Earlier, Duterte claimed that his administration was able to contain the spread of COVID-19 in a shorter time than most other countries.

But while Duque has agreed that the COVID-19 spread “looks like it has been contained,” it is still “capable of springing surprises at every turn.”

“So far, given our measures, our interventions. Mukhang contained na siya [it looks like it has been contained] and the data will support that claim but at the same time, we are realistic to accept the fact that this virus is notorious for mutations. It is capable of springing surprises at every turn,” he said.

“So we have to be realistic, we should temper our expectations. What is more important is the realization that the virus is here to stay. I think that is the number one philosophical underpinning that we usher in the new normal or the endemic phase of this public health concern,” he added.

According to Department of Health’s COVID-19 tracker, the country has logged over 3.69 million cases since 2020. Of this number, 2,440 remain active as of June 8, 2022.

The pandemic has so far claimed the lives of 60,456 Filipinos. The health crisis also took a toll on Filipino healthcare workers and exposed gaps in the country’s healthcare system.

/MUF