DOH: COVID-19 transmission not slowing down

Although the number of new COVID-19 cases dropped on Tuesday, it was not because the spread of the disease had slowed, according to the Department of Health (DOH).

On Tuesday, the DOH reported 8,571 new cases of COVID-19, low compared to the days before, with more than 10,000 the number of additional infections contracted.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Ang medyo pagbaba ng kaso is an artificial decline. Dahil po nung Linggo ang hindi operational, non-operational labs total to 36,” said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.

“Hindi pa rin tayo nakakakita ng pagbaba ng kaso. Nandun pa rin tayo sa average ng 10,000 to 11,000 cases per day. At ito po ay tinitingnan natin na pwede pang magtuloy-tuloy sa mga darating na araw,” she added.

According to the DOH, the virus still spreads frequently in the community but clusters are still growing in hospitals, offices, and other places.

ADVERTISEMENT

DOH: COVID-19 transmission not slowing down

According to infectious disease specialist Dr. Benjamin Co., the Philippines is not ready so the health care system was choked when the cases suddenly kicked off.

“We are actually not more prepared. And that’s why the rapid trajectory, the rapid incline has overwhelmed the health care system very rapidly as well,” said Co.

According to Guido David of the OCTA Research Group, it is important to prevent the spread of the virus before it becomes a large-scale outbreak, especially with the more contagious variants of COVID-19 today.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Isa sa key sa prevention is ‘yong outbreak ‘pag nagsisimula pa lang, we can already see the trend na nangyayari eh. For example, noong February, nakita na natin nagsisimula na namang tumaas ‘yong cases, maganda i-address na natin agad-agad ang outbreak bago pa siya naging full blown surge na umabot sa maraming cases,” said David.

According to the group, the spread of the virus has slowed down somewhat in some areas such as Marikina, Pasay, Manila, and Quezon City but it is still not enough.

“While the reproduction number has gone down, we are not yet where we are supposed to be,” said Ranjit Rye ng OCTA.