DOH: Optional face mask use likely a factor in rise of COVID-19 cases

Department of Health (DOH) officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire on Tuesday said that the lifting of the mandatory use of face masks outdoors may be among the reasons for the increasing number of  COVID-19 cases in the country.

At a press briefing, Vergeire said that the rise of COVID-19 cases was expected after the mandate on the use of face masks was lifted.

She said that there were other contributing factors as to why the infections this is happening, including the increased mobility of the people, the resumption of face-to-face classes, and the reopening of other sectors in the country.

“Lagi po nating tatandaan, meron po tayong iba’t ibang components kung bakit nagkakasakit ang isang tao. Andiyan na ang lihetimo o inherent characteristic ng isang tao. Maaaring mas nakakatanda siya, maaaring may comorbidity siya, maaaring immunocompromised siya, maaaring bata siya, o maaaring labas din siya nang labas,” Vergeire said.

(Let's always remember, we have different components as to why a person gets sick. The legitimate or inherent characteristic of a person is already there. They may be senior citizens, have comorbidities, immunocompromised, children, or are also often outside.)

Vergeire issued the statement after 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.

She said that what mattered more was that severe and critical cases would remain low and that hospital admissions would not get full.

It was on September 12 when Malacañang announced that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed the executive order allowing the optional masking in open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation.

“We just want to clarify na nu'ng pinautupad natin itong optional use of mask outdoors, expectedly, maaaring tumaas talaga ang kaso. Pero ang importante sa atin is that we can protect our vulnerable,” Vergeire said. 

(When we implemented this optional use of masks outdoors, expectedly, the cases may increase. But what is important to us is that we can protect our vulnerable sectors.)

“Expectedly, cases are increasing because of the increased mobility, because of face-to-face classes, and maybe because pumapasok na itong factor ng optional outdoor masking," she added.

(Expectedly, cases are increasing because of the increased mobility, because of face-to-face classes, and maybe because this factor of optional outdoor masking is already coming into play.)

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

Vergeire said groups would no longer need to recommend mandating the use of face masks anew as the DOH itself would be the one to do so if proven that the rise in cases is indeed due to the optional masking. —NB, GMA News