Senators urge gov’t to impose preventive measures to curb further transmission of Delta variant

Senators on Wednesday urged the Executive Department to impose preventive measures to curb further transmission of the more infectious Delta variant of COVID-19.

Senator Nancy Binay said the Philippines is about to reach the “tipping point” with the entry of the said variant in the country.

“Hindi lang naman COVID ang concern ng lahat ngayon—we are already full with other things beyond our control. The rising COVID cases continue to strain hospitals, and the new variants will definitely put more stress on our already overburdened public health system,” she said in a statement.

Binay said the government must focus on stricter border controls and saving the healthcare support system from a possible collapse.

“The [Department of Health] has to prepare for the possibility of our fully vaccinated healthcare workers acquiring the Delta variant. I hope government finds practical ways to protect our [healthcare workers] dahil sila ang mas exposed at mas prone sa infection because of the high viral load in hospitals. Ramdam mo sa kanila ang frustration at desperation (Because they are more exposed and prone to infection due to the high viral load in hospitals. We can feel their frustration and desperation),” Binay added.

Meanwhile, Senator Francis Pangilinan suggested the imposition of the strictest lockdown classification in the National Capital Region.

“Upang maiwasan ang sinapit ng Indonesia baka kailangan ng [enhanced community quarantine] sa NCR. Pakinggan natin ang mga health expert,” he said.

(To prevent the COVID-19 situation like what happened in Indonesia, we should look into putting NCR under ECQ. Let us listen to the health experts.)

On the other hand, Senator Sonny Angara suggested the strict regulation of people inside closed-door facilities.

“Ang importante is private establishments regulate number of persons in their spaces like shops, gyms, buildings, etc. Otherwise, the Delta variant will spread quickly indoors,” he said in a text message to reporters.

(What is important is for the private establishments to regulate the number of persons in their spaces like shops, gyms, buildings, etc. Otherwise, the Delta variant will spread quickly indoors.)

For Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, the government should impose policies that will only allow “essential” activities.

“Dapat ang guiding principle natin (We must follow a guiding principle which) is “essential”. General rule: stay at home. Exception: go out only for essential activities. Always remember: wear mask and keep distance (“distansiya amigo”),” he said in a separate text message.

On Tuesday, the DOH has reported eight active cases of COVID-19 cases detected with the Delta variant in the country.

Of the eight, four were detected in Cagayan de Oro, one each in Manila and Misamis Oriental, and two are returning overseas Filipinos.

On Monday night, President Rodrigo Duterte said the Philippines may have to  reimpose stricter restrictions after the DOH confirmed the incidence of local cases of the Delta variant.—AOL, GMA News