Public, gov't must keep COVID cases' dip for 'healthy Xmas' —UP experts

Experts from the University of the Philippines (UP) on Wednesday urged the public and the government to sustain efforts while the COVID-19 cases are on the downward trend to achieve a "healthy Christmas."

In a public briefing, Dr. Guido David of UP-OCTA Research Team pointed out that 2020 can have a "happy finish" if the downward trend of COVID-19 cases is sustained.

“This is a collective effort. Hindi pa tapos ang laban. We have to sustain this momentum,” David said.

“It will take a while, pero ang inaasahan natin sana by Christmas okay na lahat. So let’s work together so we will have a happy finish for 2020 kahit papaano,” he added.

David’s colleague Fr. Nicanor Austriaco said the Philippines’ R-naught (R0), which describes the reproduction of COVID-19 cases, dropped between 1.1 to 1 in August from the 1.4 record in July.

An R0 below 1 means a flattened curve, according to the experts.

On Tuesday, the experts said the trend of COVID-19 cases in the country is approaching a flattened curve towards September.

“The downward trend that you see in the graph is still going down. Our basic message to the government and to our fellow Filipinos: We have to maintain the momentum to keep this downward trend going,” Austriaco said.

“We have to pray for a healthy Christmas and rest for everyone for Christmas. So we work together. We stay home together. We social distance together,” he added.

From the same research team, Prof. Ranjit Rye advised the public and government to take advantage of the positive development by sustaining their efforts in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Rye warned of possible another surge of COVID19 cases if the public and the government become complacent with the improvement.

“Huwag tayong magpabaya at  mag-ingat pa lalo tayo para lalo nating ma-sustain 'yung gains na nakuha natin sa modified enhanced community quarantine, na napakamahal,” Rye said.

“Ang laki ng ibinayad narin sa MECQ na ‘yan from the economic standpoint,” he added.

On Tuesday, the Department of Health reported 2,965 new COVID-19 cases bringing the total to 197,164 with 132,396 recoveries and 3,038 fatalities. —LBG, GMA News