The Department of Health (DOH) has warned against possible resurgence of COVID-19 cases with active case toll reaching up to more than 300,000 if minimum health standards are disregarded.
Based on FASSSTER projections for mid-May, COVID-19 active cases in the country may increase to around 332,000 with 30% minimum public health standard (MPHS) reduction, while active case toll in Metro Manila might rise to 22,000.
With 50% MPHS or health protocol compliance reduction, active cases may balloon to 446,000 in Metro Manila alone.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the projections “are not cast in stone” and were based on risk factors such as the conduct of mass gatherings.
“Hindi natin alam kung ito ay mangyayari o kung ito ay hindi mangyayari. Ito ay ginagamit ng pamahalaan para ma-guide tayo sa pagpaplano, sa pagprepara, at mag-inform at ma-guide ang ating mga kababayan,” she said.
The Department earlier said that 14 areas under Alert Level 1 are currently monitored due to a slight increase in their COVID-19 cases.
In the April 20 Laging Handa briefing, Prof. Guido David of OCTA Research said the slight increase in the number of cases in some provinces might only be temporary.
“Sa ngayon, it looks like mga uptick pa lang ito at hindi pa siya leading to a surge. Pero tama ang sinasabi ng health experts, kailangan pa rin ang patuloy na pag-iingat, hindi natin kailangan hintayin na magkaroon ng increase in cases bago tayo magreact,” he said.
Vaccination slows down
Despite the possible threat of case resurgence, the country’s COVID-19 vaccination rate has slowed down according to National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.
This has prompted local government units (LGUs) to conduct house-to-house vaccination to improve vaccination figures. Based on NTF data, around 750 LGUs across the country have house-to-house jab programs.
With the developments in the vaccination program, Galvez supported DOH Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje’s statement that the 90 million fully vaccinated target by the end of Duterte’s term in June is no longer possible.
The government is set to conduct special vaccination days in the Bangsamoro Region in May to increase the region’s jab coverage which was at 27.28% as of April 18.
Meanwhile, Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion expressed concern on the possibility of losing P40 billion if the vaccines in the country’s inventory are wasted due to expiration.
“I am concerned that by the time sigurong gusto kumuha ng mga tao ng bakuna, baka wala nang bakuna kasi halos expired. ‘Yung next administration will come in towards June, eh they might be hesitant also to buy the vaccines kung mauulit ulit ‘to,” he said. – Report from Mark Fetalco/AG-gb
