PCP backs mandatory face mask use amid rise in COVID-19 cases

The Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) on Sunday reiterated the protection that the proper wearing of face masks would give the public against COVID-19, saying that it should be removed last among the health protocols imposed on the country.

“Pinaguusapan ho namin na talagang sa lahat ng dapat na aalisin, and huli po nating aalisian ay ang pagsusuot ng face mask. Right now, ang pagsusuot ng face mask ay malaki ang naitutulong nito (The wearing of face masks should be removed last as it helps us a lot right now)… I think the face mask has really served us really well,” PCP immediate past president Dr. Maricar Limpin said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

Limpin said this following the announcement of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Thursday that he would recommend the extension of the mandatory face mask mandate

The outgoing Health chief then stressed that aside from COVID-19, face masks can help prevent other illnesses such as influenza, bacterial pneumonia, monkeypox, and asthma.

Further, Limpin said that doctors are already seeing a rise in COVID-19 patients in their clinics, but most of these cases are not admissible in hospitals.

“Talagang medyo nakakakita na kami ng mga pasyente sa mga clinic namin na nagpo-positive sa COVID-19. Ito ay napansin namin for the past two weeks at talagang nakakakita na kami pero karamihan naman ay hindi kailangan i-admit sa ospital,” she said.

Despite the rise in COVID-19 infections in the country, Limpin said that the PCP would not recommend another lockdown “at this point” as it would greatly impact the economy.

The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday declared that Pasig, San Juan, Quezon City, Marikina, and Pateros were under moderate risk following the continued rise in the number of COVID-19 cases. — DVM, GMA News