An infectious disease expert is still recommending the use of face shield as an “extra layer of protection” amid the threat of more transmissible variants in both outdoor and indoor settings.
Dr. Edsel Salvana, member of Department of Health Technical Advisory Group (DOH-TAG), said the Delta variant which was initially reported in India is “60% more transmissible” than the Alpha variant from United Kingdom which is already “60% more transmissible than the original virus.”
“Halos four times ang pwedeng increased transmissibility nito. There is preliminary data that even outdoors, increased ang transmission ng Delta variant by about 40%,” he said.
“I still strongly recommend it, lalo na with the threat of the variants. I myself when I’m interacting with other people, I will use these face shields,” he added.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte the mandatory wearing of the said equipment in enclosed or indoor spaces.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will “continue to enforce the existing policy until the President decides on the matter and the IATF amends the guidelines.”
The Delta variant case count remains at 13 in the Philippines, majority of whom are MV Athens crew members. Salavana said there is no community transmission yet on the variant.
The DOH urged the public to get vaccinated and to complete their doses to prevent transmission that led to the emergence of new variants.
“Ang isang nakakabahala roon sa mga partially vaccinated na isang dose pa lang ang nakukuha nila, mukhang less ang effectiveness, bagamat protective pa naman kung naka dalawang doses na,” he said. – Report from Ryan Lesigues/AG-rir
Watch full interview here:
