Duterte warns of second, third waves of COVID-19 spread

Filipinos should brace themselves for two more waves of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections, President Rodrigo Duterte said late Monday night.

Duterte said that all the confirmed COVID-19 cases now form the first wave of infections, but they will eventually be followed by the second and third waves composed of people who are yet to develop or only developing symptoms now.

“Ganoon ang epidemic. Habang namamatay ‘yung unang tinamaan, ‘yung iba nahawa lang, bago lang, sila ang second wave," Duterte said in his weekly address during the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

"Tapos ‘yung third wave ‘yung panghuli pero paliit na ‘yan,” he added.

Duterte lamented that the Philippines seemingly had the COVID-19 threat under control at the start but quarantine violators led to the spike in cases.

“Kung ayaw ninyong magsocial distancing, mapipilitan akong puntahan kita at arestuhin kita,” Duterte said. “Sa panahon na ito, ang batas, isa lang: ang batas ng Department of Health.”

Mangoes

Duterte compared the first wave of cases to a ripe mango, adding that the second wave was like mangoes soon to ripen. He likened the third wave of cases to mangoes still green in color.

He again threatened violators of social distancing rules with arrest.

The Philippines has recorded nearly 5,000 COVID-19 cases with 315 deaths and 242 recoveries as of Monday afternoon. -NB, GMA News