Second wave of COVID-19 already ongoing in Philippines, says Duque

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday said the "second wave" of COVID-19 transmission is currently happening in the Philippines, noting that they consider the first three cases -- all imported -- as the first wave.

During the Senate Committee of the Whole Hearing, Duque said preparations are ongoing to mitigate the possible next surge on the number of cases.

"Actually nasa second wave tayo. 'Yung first wave nag-umpisa, batay po sa ating mga batikang epidemiologist, na ang first wave natin happened sometime in January—noong nagkaroon po tayo ng tatlong kaso ng mga Chinese nationals from Wuhan," he said.

"'Yun po ay kinikilalang first wave, maliit lang na wave ika nga. Pero ngayon nasa second wave tayo at ginagawa po natin ang lahat para nga ma-flatten 'yung epidemic curve," he added.

As of May 19, the Philippines has recorded a total of 12,942 COVID-19 cases with 2,843 recoveries and 837 deaths.

Secretary Carlito Galvez, the chief implementer of the national policy against COVID-19, assured during the hearing that efforts on flattening the curve are being seen as effective as the number of new cases per day averages on 150 to 200, the severe and critical cases do not go beyond 100, and lower mortality rates are being observed in previous days.

"Ibig sabihin medyo nagi-stabilize na po ang ating situation po dito sa atin," he said, noting that the testing capacity is continuously being improved.

On Tuesday, Duque said a third wave of COVID-19 transmission would be the worst case scenario for Metro Manila if it will be placed under general community quarantine without enough testing. — RSJ/KBK, GMA News