Uptick in COVID-19 cases in PH not something to worry about yet — expert
MANILA, Philippines — The recent uptick in the number of COVID-19 infections in the country is not yet something to be worried about, an infectious disease expert said Monday.
Dr. Rontgene Solante said this increase is expected in light of the entry of Omicron subvariants such as the BA.5, BA.4, and BA.2.12.1
READ: PH detects more cases of Omicron BA.5, BA.2.12.1
“With the report of BA.4, BA.5 entry including BA.2.12.1, ‘pag pumapasok ito sa bansa natin, talagang we would expect na mayroong mga uptick ng mga cases but if you look at the 300 plus cases, it’s not something to worry about, something to be of concern,” he said in a Laging Handa public briefing.
(With the report about the entry of the subvariants in the country, we would really expect an uptick of cases but if you look at the 300 plus cases, it’s not something to worry about or something to be of concern.)
Article continues after this advertisementHe said the Philippines already had experience and knowledge in managing the increase of infections, especially after its bouts with more virulent and more transmissible COVID-19 variants such as the Delta and Alpha.
Article continues after this advertisementThe country must only maintain strict compliance with the health protocols such as wearing masks and the vaccination against the disease, especially the first booster.
“So we just have to monitor the cases, and again ang pinaka-importante ngayon is we need to maintain our mask mandate, the health protocols. Isama na rin natin na sana with this number of cases, mapalago natin ang first booster sa general pop which is for me is very important with the Omicron lineages,” Solante said.
(So we just have to monitor the cases, and again what is most important is we need to maintain our mask mandate, the health protocols. We should also improve the vaccination of the first booster in the general population, which for me, is very important, especially with the Omicron lineages.)
The Philippines has recorded 308 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, the highest daily tally in almost two months, or since April 20.
This increased the number of active COVID cases in the country to 2,918, of which 153 are from Metro Manila.
je
For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.
