The Philippines could be experiencing the second wave of COVID-19 after the country recorded 5,000 last Saturday, according to the University of the Philippines (UP) Pandemic Response Team.
“Yes, this could be considered as a second wave kasi in terms of peak, pataas talaga ulit tayo. I hope na itong second wave ay hindi mas mataas ang peak kaysa sa first. Sa ibang bansa, ‘yung kanilang sumunod na wave ay mas mataas talaga sa first,” ayon kay Jomar Rabajante, member of the group.
From 5,000, the group has a projection that the number of daily new cases could rise to 7,000 to 7,500 or drop to 2,000.
The increase in new cases can be attributed to the more active movement of people today in areas with large populations and the emerging variants of COVID-19.
This time people are tired of the lockdown, Rabajante said the government needs to have the right strategy to control the spread of the virus.
He said the government should focus more on providing education to the public so that they can take the initiative to discipline themselves.
PH in 2nd wave of COVID-19 – UP response team
UP-PRT’s statement is contrary to what the World Health Organization (WHO) said on March 9 that there is no 2nd wave in the Philippines and the increase in cases is just a continuation of the “spike” of the current wave in the country.
Meanwhile, OCTA Research team said the Philippines could record up to 20,000 new COVID-19 cases daily by April if the new surge of infections would not be controlled.
A reproduction number of one or higher indicates a continuous transmission of the virus.
However, the projection could be prevented if the national and local government would continue to implement strict health protocols, localized lockdowns, and curfew hours.
“Possible ‘yan pero binase natin sa current reproduction number ng mga 1.9 so ibig sabihin kung hindi pa natin mapabagal ang pagtaas ng bilang ng kaso, ‘yan ang puwede nating maabot na numero per day ‘yan,” David said.