The ongoing aid distribution and even the vaccination of local governments may become “super spreaders” of the virus due to the crowds in the venues.
“This is a possible super spreader event lalong lalo na kung kumpulan yung tao at enclosed yung space,” said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.
It was learned that the beneficiaries are complaining about the local governments asking them to go out of their homes and line up to receive P1,000 to P4,000 assistance instead of going from house to house.
Vergeire said they have already reminded the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) about this and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
“We also reminded our LGU na magkaroon ng scheduling para hindi nagkakaroon ng pagkukumpol-kumpol ang ating mga kababayan kapag sila ay nagpapabakuna,” said Vergeire.
Vergeire also agreed with the statement of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. which should prepare for a possible new COVID-surge that could occur in June or July.
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Aid distribution, vaccination sites possible ‘super spreaders’ of virus
“We have to expect this coming June or July baka magkaroon na naman tayo ng peaking o surge,” Galvez said in an interview with ANC.
(We have to expect this coming June or July that we might have another peak or surge.)
Galvez said different COVID-19 variants now in the Philippines and the efficacy of the vaccine would be determined six to nine months after the vaccination started.
“Hindi pa po tapos ang COVID [crisis]. Nakita po natin, there is a wrong notion na COVID is already finished in some other countries. It can reappear anytime,” he said.
But Vergeirie also said no one knows when the next surge will happen because of the uncertainty of the situation.
One thing is for sure, the government must prepare and increase all capabilities and efforts so that the next COVID surge does not happen.