Public should observe ‘new normal’ to prevent new wave of COVID-19 cases, DOH-NCR exec says

To prevent a second wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the country, the Department of Health–National Capital Region (NCR) on Monday urged the public to follow protocols under the “new normal.”

Interviewed on GMA’s Unang Hirit,  DOH–NCR regional director Corazon Flores said the public should cooperate with the government strategy in curbing the spread of COVID-19.

“As we shift to kung anong phase ang mairekomenda ng Inter-Agency Task Force, kinakailangan pa rin po ‘yung tinatawag nating new normal,” she said.

“Ito pong strategy natin sa pagkontrol ng COVID, hindi lamang po goyerno ang kailangan kumilos dito, pati po ‘yung mamamayan,” she added.

Under the new normal, Flores said the public should observe social distancing, hand washing, wearing of protective equipment, and boosting the immune system.

“Ang kaso po ng COVID-19 sa National Capital Region ay umabot na ng 6,993—as of May 10—with 521 deaths and 1384 recoveries,” Flores said.

“Sabihin na nating 65% ng total cases sa buong bansa. Alam naman natin na ang kaso sa buong bansa ay 10,794 na.” she added.

According to her, 10 cities out of the 17 local government units in the Metro Manila are already slowing down the doubling time of COVID-19 cases, from two to three days to five days.

“Ibig sabihin, gumaganda na po ‘yung sitwasyon sa Metro Manila at nagiging epektibo ang enhanced community quarantine (ECQ),” she said.

Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya earlier hinted that some parts of the NCR will be placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) after May 15.

However, to prevent a second wave of cases, the Metro Manila Council requested another 15-day extension of the ECQ in NCR after its expiration on May 15. The IATF is considering the recommendation.—AOL, GMA News