Expert warns of possible surge after Holy Week, elections

By Gabriela Baron

National Task Force Against COVID-19 special adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa on Saturday, April 9, warned of the possibility of seeing a fresh wave of COVID-19 infections hit the country after the Holy Week and the May elections.

“We have the campaign period ng elections at mayroon din tayong religious events, iyong ating Ramadan at mass gatherings. So, all of these are tinatawag nating high-risk events for superspreader,” Herbosa noted.

“Kasi ‘yung Ramadan, sa gabi kumakain sila together. ‘Yung Holy Week naman [ay] nagbabakasyon, pumupunta tayo sa mga probinsya at mami-meet natin ‘yung mga kamag-anak natin,” he added.

Herbosa furthered that highly crowded election-related activities could be one of the reasons for a new surge in cases.

“‘Yung political rallies naman talagang may mga mass gathering events and sometimes not properly worn ang ating mga mask,” he continued.

“Magangang reminded ito sa atin na pwede talagang tumaas ‘yung mga kaso in the next two months.”

He also urged the public to get vaccinated against COVID-19 during the holidays.

The World Health Organization earlier warned of a surge in COVID-19 cases anew if “unsafe gatherings” continue. – bny

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