MANILA, Philippines – A doctor advises public face mask use but may remove limits if virus cases drop in two to four weeks to prevent straining healthcare resources outside the National Capital Region.
The call follows the Philippines’ COVID-19 Omicron subvariant FE.1 discovery.
“When we have surges due to new subvariants, we can revert to mandatory face masks like some local government units,” suggested Doctor Anthony “Tony” Leachon.
He also said health authorities can “relax when the viral transmission is low in two to four weeks to reduce the escalation of cases in areas outside of the National Capital Region, which lacks healthcare workers and medical facilities.”
Leachon explained the “current available evidence does not show any differences with FE.1 and the original Omicron strain in terms of severity and manifestations.”
But the health expert also warned the public should not be complacent “until the pandemic is truly over.”
In October 2022, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order number seven (7), allowing the voluntary wearing of masks indoors and outdoors.
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