The remaining weeks of the year will be critical to prevent the emergence of another wave of COVID-19 come 2021, according to OCTA Research Group.
“May future wave na posibleng mangyari (There is a possibility of a future wave) … And this wave, the surge in cases could possibly happen in January. The potential of this third wave to be significant is real kasi nga (because) it’s happening in the epicenter, NCR [National Capital Region],” Prof. Ranjit Rye of OCTA Research explained.
The group reminded that another wave can be prevented if the public will adhere to minimum health standards. While the reversion to MECQ in NCR is not recommended, observing discipline is really necessary.
“Itong (These) next two weeks will be crucial for the whole of next year. How we deal with the next two weeks as a country, as a region in NCR will spell the difference about our recovery in the first quarter of next year,” Rye stated.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III responded that he has “no reason to doubt the veracity” of the group’s data, saying that they have been working and collaborating with them.
“That’s why what we are doing now, ‘yung pagbisita natin sa public places, continuous reminders to the public (when visiting public places continuous reminders [are given to] the public),” he assured.
“We recognize that the beginning of the surge is already evident, nakikita na natin (we are already seeing it),” he supported.
The COVID-19 reproduction number in NCR remains at 1, but the R naught in Quezon City has been recorded at 1.15.
“Although not to say that we are not monitoring the whole of Metro Manila because we are also seeing a plateauing of the cases in the other cities, meaning, hindi na po sila nagtuloy ng pagbaba (the decline has stopped),” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire stated.
In line with measures to prevent transmission, the health department has expressed support on the requirement to use of face shields on top of face masks as “we are guided by science and evidence.” – Report from Mark Fetalco
