DOH intensifies health measure promotion, LGU coordination as COVID-19 cases increase —Vergeire

The Department of Health (DOH) has intensified its promotion of behavioral change among the public as well as its coordination with local governments in response to the further spread of COVID-19.

Interviewed on GMA’s Unang Hirit on Monday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the department observed further increase in COVID-19 cases in different parts of the country.

“Nagpapaigting po kami ngayon ng aming promotion para po dito sa ating behavioral changes para hindi na po maabot 'yung numero na 'yan,” Vergeire said.

“Tayo ay nakikipagtulungan nang maigi sa local governments para magkaroon ng selective lockdowns kung kinakailangan kapag nakikita natin na tumataas ang kaso,” she added.

Vergeire made the statement when asked if the DOH would do anything different to avoid the projection of up to 95,000 COVID-19 cases by the end of August.

“And of course, patuloy po ang pagbigay suporta para maging capacitated ang facilities para po kung sakaling tumaas ang mga kaso,” she added.

With the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases, Vergeire reminded the public to observe health measures to avoid catching the virus especially now the quarantine restrictions are relaxed.

“Ngayon na medyo nag-ease down na tayo ng ating restriction and we are seeing this rise  of cases, so talaga kailangan lang ho bawat isa sa atin ay sumunod sa mga pamantayan…” she said.

As of Sunday, the total number of cases in the Philippines was recorded at 44,254 with 11,942 recoveries and 1,297 fatalities, according to the DOH.

Until July 15, Cebu City is under enhanced community quarantine, while general community quarantine is imposed on Metro Manila, Benguet, Cavite, Rizal, Lapu Lapu City, Mandaue City, Leyte, Ormoc, Southern Leyte, Talisay City, Cebu, and towns of Minglanilla and Consolacion in Cebu province.—AOL, GMA News