Critics and the detractors of the Administration have always something to say.
It is worth mentioning that the increase in the number of cases is seen not only in the Philippines, but it is reflected worldwide as per World Health Organization Country Representative Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe.
Given the COVID-19 spike, the government has done the following:
On testing, data show that the Philippines ranks third after India and China in terms of tests per million population, while in terms of total tests conducted, the Philippines is second after Indonesia among ASEAN countries, with more than 10, 421,636 tests conducted, as of April 5,2021. We have a weekly average of 52,565 tests from April 4-10, and reaching a high of 63,839 tests conducted last April 8, 2021.
On tracing, we have strengthened and improved the use of Staysafe.PH system by using automatic contact tracing through Smart Messaging System and the supplementation of around 27,672 contact tracers in the NCR Plus Bubble.
On isolation, the Department of Public Works and Highways continue to build facilities and mobile hospitals to augment the need for quarantine facilities, including the activation of more than 1,700 beds, including the recently opened 110-bed capacity modular hospital in Quezon Institute and 300-bed capacity Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility in The Manila Times College of Subic, Inc.
On treatment, we have set up a One Hospital Command to better serve patients in need of hospitalization. Medical facilities have likewise given to increase its dedicated beds COVID-19 after the President directed the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to settle its obligation with hospitals while mainstreaming telemedicine in local government units (LGUs). Also, a total of 136 healthcare workers from the Visayas and Mindanao have been deployed to different facilities in Metro Manila.
On vaccination, we have reached the one million mark in terms of total COVID-19 vaccines administered. We are the third highest in vaccine rollout in ASEAN, with 1.2 million doses administered.
However, much more can be done, thus, we call on all sectors to unite and help the government in putting an end to this dreadful pandemic.
