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Roque defends COVID-19 response anew: Critics have always something to say
Malacanang on Wednesday again defended the national government's efforts to address the pandemic amid criticisms as the country's COVID-19 cases continue to spike.
"Critics and the detractors of the Administration have always something to say," presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in an issued press statement.
Roque cited
World Health Organization Country Representative Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe's statement that resurgence in COVID-19 cases also happens in other countries.Roque also cited government's initiatives to address the dramatic increase of cases such as improvement of StaySafe.PH for digital contact tracing in the country.
"On tracing, we have strengthened and improved the use of Staysafe.PH system by using automatic contact tracing through Smart Messaging System and the supplementation of around 27,672 contact tracers in the NCR Plus Bubble," said Roque.
Roque also pointed out that the country has conducted a "weekly average of 52,565 tests from April 4 to April 10, and reached a high of 63,839 tests conducted last April 8, 2021."
The Department of Public Works and Highways also set up facilities and mobile facilities, with a total of 1,700 COVID-19 beds, Roque said.
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This includes the activation of Quezon City Institute modular hospital with 110 bed-capacity and Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility in Subic which can accommodate 300 patients, Roque added.
Roque also cited the usage of One Hospital Command for referral of patients to hospitals, which was already swamped due to the rise in COVID-19 cases.
"Medical facilities have likewise been given to increase its dedicated beds COVID-19 after the President directed the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to settle its obligation with hospitals while mainstreaming telemedicine in local government units (LGUs)," Roque said.
A group of health professionals flagged the government's imposition of strict lockdown, saying it is wasted due to "unclear plans" to address the COVID-19 surge.
Philippines currently has 892,880 total virus infections, including 173,047 active cases, 704,386 recoveries and 15,447 fatalities.—Consuelo Marquez/LDF, GMA News