Don't be in a hurry to relax health protocols —Philippine College of Physicians

The Philippine College of Physicians on Sunday urged the government and the public not to be in a hurry to relax health and safety protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic since the vaccination rate in the country is still low.

"Sana ho huwag muna masyadong magmadali. Maging pasensiyoso muna. Akala nila 'pag nabakunahan na, okay na," PCP president Dr. Maricar Limpin said on Dobol B TV.

(Please do not be in a hurry. Be patient. Some people think once they are vaccinated [against COVID-19], it is okay [to relax health and safety protocols].)

Limpin made the comment after some senior citizens were reportedly getting impatient to be allowed to go out of their homes and resume their normal activities.

"Sana ang ating senior citizens, konting pasensiya pa po dahil marami pa rin ang hindi nababakunahan. Sila ang puwedeng mahawaan," she said.

(We hope our senior citizens would be more patient since a lot of people have yet to be vaccinated. They may get infected.)

Limpin said the vaccination rate in the country has not even reached 10% yet.

"Napakababa pa ng vaccination rate ng Pilipinas. Wala pa tayo sa halos 10%. Sana huwag tayo magmadali, ituloy pa rin natin ang ating protocols. Meron pa ring face mask at face shield, na nagbibigay ng additional protection," she added.

(Our vaccination rate in the Philippines is still low. It is not even 10% [of the population]. Let us not be in a hurry. Instead, let us continue with our protocols such as wearing face mask and face shield, which give additional protection.)

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Wednesday urged the national government to stop requiring the public to wear face shields outside their homes amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moreno said the Philippines is the only country in the world which still requires wearing a face shield when going out.

However, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said it is not yet time to lift the policy requiring the wearing of face shields in public areas, noting the Philippines’ low COVID-19 vaccine coverage so far.

Limpin also said those vaccinated against COVID-19 should still also observe health and safety protocols.

"Hindi porke nabakunahan na ay hindi na magkakaroon ng COVID-19. Puwede pa silang mahawa, pero asymptomatic o very mild. Kawawa naman ang mahahawaan nila," she said.

(Those vaccinated may still contract COVID-19, but they will be asymptomatic or have very mild case. Those who would be exposed to them and get infected may have a hard time.)

The threat of COVID-19 remains as Limpin said although the number of COVID-19 cases admitted in hospitals in the National Capital Region has gone down as compared to last March and April, the ICU capacity in hospitals has gone up.

"Hindi pa naman kami nakakaranas ng masyadong matinding pagwo-worry dahil sa 'yung dami ng mga dumadating sa ospital ay hindi kasing dami noong Marso at Abril. Malaki medyo ang binawas. Kung dati umaabot kami ng 200% capacity sa ER, siguro ngayon nasa 60% lang. Hindi kami masyado nabibigatan sa pagha-handle sa kaso ng COVID-19 sa NCR pero medyo madami tayo sa Visayas lalong lalo na sa Mindanao. Sa Visayas, nasa 100% ang capacity ng kanilang ICU. Nasa 80% capacity ang ICU sa NCR. Medyo tumaas," she said.

(We are not yet that alarmed since the number of COVID-19 cases arriving in hospitals is lesser than those in March and April. Whereas before, the capacity of the ER would be at 200%, now it's 60%. We are not that overwhelmed in the National Capital Region. However, the cases are increasing in the Visayas and especially in Mindanao. In Visayas, their ICU capacity is at 100%. In NCR, ICU capacity is at 80%, which went up slightly.)

Limpin said the number of severe and critical cases of COVID-19 is still high.

Long-term effects

Meanwhile, Limpin, a pulmonologist, said in some cases, even if a patient has already recovered from COVID-19, he or she may still feel its long-term effects. This is called long COVID syndrome.

Limpin said there may still be difficulty in breathing and walking a month after recovering from COVID-19. For some, the effects may even last up to 12 weeks. 

"Importante ang pulmonary at physical rehab para sa mga pasyenteng gumaling matapos tamaan ng COVID-19," she said.

(Pulmonary and physical rehabilitation are important for recovered patients.)

Limpin said for some recovered patients, it takes a long time for their sense of taste and smell to be restored.

There are also instances when vision and hearing are affected among COVID-19 patients, she said. —KG, GMA News