Although the number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines continues to decline, the Department of Health (DOH) said it is not yet certain whether the pandemic can be considered “under control.”
In the current trend of COVID-19 data in the country, the positivity rate of the Philippines may go more than two weeks with less than 5 percent.
Based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, if a country can maintain its positivity rate below 5 percent for 2 weeks, the pandemic in the area can be said to be “under control.”
But according to Health spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire, this is not yet certain.
“Na-experience na natin in the past na napababa na natin ang ating mga kaso but after sometime, tumaas pa rin. Kailangan natin ng longer period to assess and evaluate what’s happening,” she said.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III had earlier said that they would consult with the WHO if the pandemic in the Philippines could be declared to be under control.
Meanwhile, it is still uncertain when children aged 5 to 11 will be vaccinated because a new emergency use authority is needed for this.
DOH uncertain if COVID-19 in PH is ‘under control’
But the DOH assured that even if they are bad at vaccination, there is still enough vaccine supply in the country.
Parents, local governments, and establishments are said to be the key to preventing children from contracting the disease.
The Food and Drug Administration now sees two brands of vaccines against COVID-19 that could be injected into more minors before the end of the year 2021.
“I would think before the end of the year [we will have it]. I’m pretty sure Pfizer’s going to be ready, and Sinovac also told us that their data is being collated and would be submitted soon,” said FDA chief Eric Domingo in a Palace briefing.
“So ‘yun ‘yung dalawang possible vaccines natin for children below 12 coming soon.”
The DOH also called on establishments to follow the set capacities for alert levels.
As of Thursday, the DOH recorded 975 additional COVID-19 cases for a total of 2,829,618 confirmed cases, of which 17,796 were active.
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