A group of physicians is pushing for the lifting of the existing lockdown which has been in place for six months.
Former Health Secretary Jaime Galvez-Tan of Concerned Doctors and Citizens of the Philippines explained that the problem on the virus can be addressed without sacrificing the economy. The group suggested the establishment of a national protocol for prophylaxis and early treatment of COVID-19 as an alternative to community quarantine.
“We call upon President Duterte to really lift the lockdown but at the same time ensure that the protocol of prevention, promotion of health, be nationwide, talagang magkaroon ng (there will really be) nationwide movement (for) good nutrition,” Tan stated.
The Department of Health (DOH) responded that it must be done “slowly but surely” to avoid risking the progress that has already been achieved, endangering lives and overburdening the health care system.
“If these things happen, we will again be put into tighter lockdowns and go through the process again,” the DOH added.
Latest DOH data have shown an improvement in the key indicators of the COVID-19 situation in the country such as case doubling time at 10.84 from 9.52 last August, mortality doubling time at 15.54, CCUR at 49 percent, utilization rate among TTMFs at 33 percent, and reproduction number at 0.917.
For its part, the UP OCTA Research Group emphasized that lifting the lockdown must not be rushed as there are still areas with increasing number of confirmed cases.
The DOH also countered the proposal of doctors to use the anti-viral drug Hydroxychloroquine as prophylaxis of COVID-19. This is not recommended for patients with probable or confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia, outpatients with early or mild COVID- 19 disease.
As of Sept. 18, there are 279,526 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 208,790 recoveries, and 4,830 fatalities nationwide.
– Report from Mark Fetalco
