The new COVID-19 cases in the Philippines are expected to peak by the end of January, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday.
In an interview with TeleRadyo, Health spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said the DOH sees the number of COVID-19 cases doubling per day.
Although there is no corresponding evidence yet, the DOH already assumes that the more contagious omicron variant of COVID-19 is in the community.
“We are projecting that baka po itong omicron variant na ito, dahil we are assuming that is in our communities already, magpapatuloy po ang pagtaas ng kaso at baka po mag-peak po ang mga kaso by end of the month,” said Vergeire.
Vergeire, on the other hand, reminded the public not to ignore it in case they experience symptoms of COVID-19s, especially now that the flu is also a trend.
“Immediately isolate ‘pag nakaranas ng ganitong sintomas. Magpa-test po tayo,” she said.
The country is currently experiencing increased COVID-19 cases, believed to be due to the relaxation of restrictions during Christmas and New Year and the omicron variant.
Due to the increase in cases, the National Capital Region (NCR), Bulacan Cavite, and Rizal were placed on Alert Level 3 until mid -January.
COVID-19 cases likely to peak at end of January: DOH
According to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, NCR is now at “critical risk” in COVID-19 due to the increase in the 2-week growth rate.
On Tuesday night, President Rodrigo Duterte’s public address, Duque, also reported that Calabarzon is at “high risk” while Central Luzon is at “moderate risk.”
He also said that beds, intensive care units, and mechanical ventilators in hospitals, mainly in NCR, are increasing.
Duque is now in quarantine along with Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. after being exposed to people who tested positive for COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) is open to limiting individuals’ purchase of certain drugs amid reports that paracetamol supplies are now running out.
In pharmacies, the absence of Paracetamols such as Bioflu, Biogesic, etc., in pharmacies is trending on social media. This is happening now that the COVID-19 Omicron variant is in the Philippines.
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