Relaxed quarantine measures may cause second wave of COVID-19 cases, health official warns

The easing of quarantine restrictions in most areas across the country may lead to a second wave of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, a health official warned on Monday.

Department of Health Director IV Eric Tayag, an epidemiologist and infectious disease expert, made the remark after Filipinos flocked to malls and other public areas over the weekend.

“Totoo na baka magkaroon tayo ng second wave sapagkat hindi pa gano’n karami ang nagkakasakit sa atin,” he said in a 24 Oras report by Lei Alviz.

“Pangalawa, wala pa tayong bakuna. Pangatlo, marami pang mga lugar na nagtatala ng maraming kaso,” he added.

Tayag also urged those feeling any symptom or illness to stay at home.

Metro Manila was among the areas downgraded to a modified enhanced community quarantine on May 16.

Experts from the University of the Philippines earlier warned that COVID-19 cases could spike to 24,000 by June if quarantine measures are relaxed too soon. 

“As we relax the quarantines and as mobility rises, the success of the quarantine will rely a lot more on individual efforts. What they do will not just save themselves but they will save other people,” assistant professor Ranjit Singh Rye said. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News