Dr. Maria Rosario Vergeire. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines —If compliance with minimal public health standards (MPHS) continues to deteriorate, the DOH expects daily infections to range from 4,000 to 8,000 by October.
“Kung sakaling magtutuloy tuloy na bababa ang ating [MPHS] we might have cases ranging from 4,000 to 8,000 by the end of October,” said DOH officer in charge Maria Rosario Vergeire during a press briefing.
(If our [MPHS] continues to decrease, we might have cases ranging from 4,000 to 8,000 by the end of October.)
However, she emphasized that the “factors or assumptions” used by the DOH to make these forecasts remain a variable.
“These are assumptions, it’s not casting stones, maaari itong mabago base sa mga pagbabago doon sa mga considered factors or assumptions na ginagamit natin,” said Vergeire.
(These are assumptions, it’s not casting stones, they can still change based on the changes in the considered factors or assumptions we use.)
These factors include the use of face masks and apart from other kinds of compliance with MPHS.
“‘Yung face masking outdoors is part of our assumption for the compliance to the [MPHS] so isa ‘yun doon sa assumptions natin. So ngayon na there is optional masking outdoors, definitely ‘yung compliance ng MPHS ay bababa,” the acting DOH chief explained.
(The face masking outdoors is part of our assumption for compliance with the MPHS. So now that there is optional masking outdoors, definitely, the compliance of the MPHS will decrease.)
Vergeire added that the department noticed excellent behavior from the public, as most Filipinos wear face masks outdoors.
Vergeire had earlier noted that COVID-19 infections were likely to rise due to the reopening of schools and the relaxation of other sectors, such as transportation.
Based on DOH’s COVID-19 tracker, active infections nationwide are currently at 27,553.
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