Coronavirus causing COVID-19 is not weakening, San Lazaro Hospital doctor says

An official of the San Lazaro Hospital on Sunday belied claims that the coronavirus causing COVID-19 is losing its potency.

In an interview on Dobol B sa News TV, San Lazaro Hospital’s Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Section chair Dr. Rontgene Solante added that the coronavirus can still spread easily.

“Ang virus hindi humihina. Hindi nagbabago ang anyo. Hanggang nandito siya sa environment, hanggang nandito siya sa katawan ng tao, mas lalo siyang malakas na puwede nating makuha anytime,” Solante said.

According to a June 5 report of the Washington Post, Italy’s leading virologist Dr. Arnaldo Caruso suggested that the virus is getting weaker “as the number of deaths, cases, severely ill patients and viral load they’ve seen on swabs are declining or holding steady even as the country reopens.”

Several doctors across the globe also claimed that the virus is “becoming less potent, more diffused and less deadly," according to a FOX43 report.

Solante however said the risk of contracting the virus will possibly be a part of the normal life of Filipinos.

“Mukhang matagal at hindi pa ito mawawala in a few months or several months from now...Baka talagang magiging kasama na ito sa normal nating pamumuhay ang virus,” he said.

Citing data from the Department of Health (DOH), Solante said the number of COVID-19 cases in the country is still growing, which indicates an ongoing community transmission.

He said strengthening health facilities, ensuring enough supplies of personal protective equipment, preparing health care workers, and convincing the public to observe measures are the steps to slow down its spread.

As of Saturday, the DOH has recorded 25,392 COVID-19 cases with 5,706 recoveries and 1,074 fatalities. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News