2-year-old's positive antigen result won't affect NCR's Alert Level 2 –DOH

Health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Saturday that the implementation of Alert Level 2 in the National Capital Region (NCR) would not be affected by the case of a two-year-old boy who tested positive in a rapid antigen test following a mall visit.

"I don't think it's going to affect our implementation. As you have said, it is an isolated case. Secondly, it could not be determined with certainty if it is the cause of the child's illness," Vergeire said in a mix of English and Filipino at the Laging Handa briefing.

Vergeire reminded the public to observe minimum public health standards and for parents to avoid bringing their children into crowded places.

"We have already instructed our regional office to look into this matter," she said regarding reports of the two-year-old child.

"Marami pang maging factors at reasons kung bakit nagkaroon ng sakit ang bata, hindi lang ang pagpunta sa mall. Maaaring sa bahay doon na sa siya nahawa. Maaaring ang mga nakatatanda niyang kasama sa bahay ay lumalabas at nagtatrabaho," Vergeire said.

(There are a lot of factors and reasons why the child got sick, not just his visit to the mall. It is possible that he already got infected while inside his house. It could be that his elders were going out to work.)

"Let us remember, the objective of having children out is for them to be able to get sunlight and have exercise but not to go into these crowded malls."

Vergeire said the department observed that allowing children at parks and open spaces was beneficial to prepare for face-to-face classes. — DVM, GMA News