Success vs. COVID-19 spread requires behavior change –DOH

Filipinos would have to align their behavior to the new normal if the country wants to succeed in stemming the spread of COVID-19, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Friday.

"Dito sa laban natin, dito sa pandemyang ito, behavior would be very very critical. Kung hindi magbabago ang tao ng kanilang mga nakagawian at kung hindi sila susunod dito sa mga bago, this new normal that we're saying, mahihirapan talaga tayo," Vergeire explained in a virtual forum.

"Ito talagang non-pharmaceutical interventions, ito talaga 'yung would be really critical for a country kasi sila 'yung makakapag-prevent ng pagdami ng kaso," she added.

The same point has been made by testing czar Vince Dizon on Thursday as he stressed that discipline was the common denominator among countries such as South Korea and Taiwan.

If all minimum health standards such as the proper wearing of face masks, social distancing, and regular handwashing would be followed, the risk of getting COVID-19 will significantly be reduced.

"Pag pinagsama-sama mo lahat, nababawasan up to 95% [ang risk] of you being infected. So very critical 'yung behavior," Vergeire said.

Further, she reminded the public that those who have already recovered from COVID-19 should not lower their guards.

"Wala talagang immunity passport. Kung sakaling nagkaroon ka ng COVID na, nag-positive ka na, 'yung chances na magkakaroon ka ulit nandoon pa rin," she said.

As of July 17, the number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines reached over 63,000 with 21,748 recoveries and 1,660 deaths.  — DVM, GMA News