PHAPI head appeals for continued face mask use outdoors

The head of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines Inc. (PHAPI) on Tuesday called on the public to keep wearing face masks amid the reported increase in COVID-19 cases again in the country.

PHAPI president Dr. Jose de Grano said they have been monitoring the rise in active and new daily COVID-19 cases over the past two to three weeks, although he pointed out that the removal of the face mask mandate does not directly correlate with this.

“Huwag tayong masyadong kampante… kung maari po ay ibalik muna natin ‘yung mandato na mag-wear ng face mask lalo na kahit sa labas dahil nakikita naman natin itong pagdami ulit ng cases,” he said.

“Although hindi naman po gumagrabe, parang ‘yung ating hospitalization ay hindi naman dumadami, but still, nakikita natin na ang nagpo-positive ay nag-i-increase,” De Grano added.

(Let's not be too complacent...if possible, let's bring back the mandate to wear face masks especially outside because we are seeing an increase in cases. Although it is not getting worse, it seems that our hospital utilization rate is not rising, but we still see that those who are testing positive are increasing.)

The Philippines recorded 17,891 new COVID-19 cases from September 19 to 25, 2022 — 22% higher than those logged from September 12 to 18.

With this, De Grano stressed that wearing face mask is not difficult, so people should keep doing it even outdoors, as they are not certain if those around them are infected with the coronavirus or not.

“Maaari pong kahit walang nararamdaman o wala silang sintomas, ay posibleng nagpo-positive ang mga ‘yan at puwede pong masagap natin and then maikalat natin kapag umuwi tayo sa ating mga bahay,” he said.

(It's possible that even if they don't feel anything or have no symptoms, they may be COVID-19 positive and we get infected and transmit it when we go home.)

Malacañang announced on September 12 that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has signed the executive order allowing the optional masking in open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation. —KBK, GMA News