Expert: Worst is over for COVID-19 pandemic, but public must be cautious

MANILA, Philippines — While infectious disease expert Edsel Salvana believes that the “worst is over” for the COVID-19 pandemic because of vaccines, the public has to remain cautious.

Salvana on Thursday pointed out that the number of deaths during the surge brought by the COVID-19 Omicron variant was “nowhere near” the deaths recorded during the Delta variant surge.

“Doon pa lang, masasabi na natin na because of vaccines, the worst is really over for the pandemic. Pero of course, there is nothing that will stop the virus from continuing to mutate lalong-lalo na kung patuloy ‘yung transmission,” Salvana said during the Laging Handa briefing.

(From that, we can say that because of the vaccines, the worst is really over for the pandemic. But of course, there is nothing that will stop the virus from continuing to mutate especially if the transmission continues.)

“Even if these are mild, even if these are asymptomatic, the virus can continue to evolve kaya kinakailangan patuloy ang ating pag-iingat. In terms of deaths and severe disease, I think that the worst is over because of vaccination,” he added.

(Even if these are mild, even if these are asymptomatic, the virus can continue to evolve so we really need to continue to be cautious. In terms of deaths and severe disease, I think that the worst is over because of vaccination.)

FILE PHOTO: A 3D-printed coronavirus model is seen in front of the words coronavirus disease (Covid-19) on display in this illustration taken March 25, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Salvana said while COVID-19 cases are rising, the number of severe and critical cases is comparatively lower compared to the infections at the height of the pandemic.

However, he stressed that the more infections occur, “the more likely that there will be mutated virus.”

“Right now, until we get these updated vaccines, the best thing to do talaga is manatiling ginagamit yung mask para maka-interrupt tayo ng transmission and at the same time continue our vaccination and boosting program para manatili yung protection against severe disease kung mahawa tayo,” Salvana said.

(Right now, until we get these updated vaccines, the best thing to do is to continue using masks to interrupt transmission and at the  same time continue our vaccination and boosting program so that we continue our protection against severe disease should we contract COVID-19.)

/MUF