COVID-19 cases may hit 700 by February if new variant enters —DOH

The COVID-19 infections nationwide may jump to over 700 per day by February if compliance with the minimum public health standards decrease and other highly transmissible variants enter the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) warned Tuesday.

In a press conference, DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said that based on their latest projections, the COVID-19 cases may increase up to 730 by February 15 if this happens.

However, she said the figure is not cast in stone and is only an estimation by DOH to help the country prepare.

Further, Vergeire said that while the department observed a decline in COVID-19 cases nationwide, it recorded a one percent increase on Tuesday.

“But this is not significant for us to say that there really is this uptick in cases as a result of the holiday season. Patuloy nating babantayan ito. We will continuously monitor and hopefully, this will remain to be at that point or at that level na hindi na talagang tumataas nang husto,” she said.

(We will continue to monitor this, and hopefully, this will remain to be at that point or at that level that the cases would not really increase much anymore.)

Black Nazarene

Vergeire said the DOH will observe for two weeks to see if the Black Nazarene feast had an effect in the COVID-19 transmission in the country, particularly in the National Capital Region (NCR).

She encouraged devotees to observe themselves for COVID-19 symptoms and keep on wearing masks at least for the next five days.

“Nakita po natin ang ating kababayan na although talagang dikit-dikit sila, most of them are wearing their mask. Marami sa kanila, naka-maskara sila at marami sa kanila kapag nakakausap namin ‘pag pumupunta sila sa aming tent, ay nandiyan pa rin ang kanilang pag-aagam agam na baka magkaron ng sakit kaya medyo nag-iingat talaga sila,” she said.

(We have seen our countrymen that although they gathered really close together, most of them were still wearing their masks. Many of them also told us that they are still worried that they might get sick so they are really careful.)

As of Tuesday, 6 a.m., the DOH recorded 1,046 consultations among devotees who participated in the activities for the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

Based on the agency’s recent data, the majority or 788 of these consultations were cardio-related cases, including those who had hypertension, hypotension, chest pain and blood pressure monitoring, among others.

There were 148 neurological-related cases like headaches and dizziness, while 85 were trauma-related cases such as wounds and lacerations.

Thirteen were consultations on respiratory issues like those suffering from asthma and having difficulty in breathing.

Seven gastro-related cases were also recorded, including those with abdominal pain and loose bowel movement. There were five other consultations logged, which cases were not specified.

State of calamity

Vergeire stressed the importance of the declaration of state of calamity in the Philippines as COVID-19 still exists.

She said the agency will seek other measures on the country’s COVID-19 response if President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. decides not to extend the state of calamity.

Vergeire recalled that the DOH recommended to the Office of the President a further extension of the state of calamity in the country before the year 2022 ended.

“Accordingly, mukhang hindi pa nadedesisyunan, but he has verbalized in one of his media outings that he is quite hesitant to extend the state of calamity. Having that, syempre kami naman, we are planning for other options,” she said.

Marcos earlier said he is not keen to prolong the state of calamity, adding that it was the "wrong mindset" with which to welcome the New Year.

Should it not be extended, Vergeire said that the DOH can still continue with its vaccination program because vaccines with emergency use authorization (EUA) are granted a one year validity based on the existing law.

“It is still significant kasi hindi rin naman lang ‘yung vaccination natin ang pinag-uusapan. We’re talking about other conditions na nakapasok sa state of calamity katulad nung tax exemptions natin when we procure for these vaccines and other commodities that we need for COVID-19 response,” she said.

(It is still significant because we are not only talking about vaccination. We're talking about other conditions under the state of calamity like our tax exemptions when we procure for these vaccines and other commodities that we need for COVID-19 response.)

She also pointed out that the healthcare workers’ health emergency allowance is also anchored on the state of calamity.—LDF, GMA Integrated News