By Lade Jean Kabagani | Philippine News Agency
MANILA – National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 medical adviser Dr. Ted Herbosa on Wednesday (March 30) cautioned the public anew over being complacent amid the decline of the number of active cases in the country.
“Huwag nating kakalimutan ibaon ang ating mga face mask, surgical mask, at N-95 mask. Tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang recommendation ko na huwag nating alisin iyang recommendation na iyan,” Herbosa said at the Laging Handa briefing.
He emphasized that there is still a need to continue adhering to the public minimum health standards, even if the vaccination coverage is increasing.
“Ang experience ng ibang bansa na mataas ang vaccination rate, inalis nila lahat ng mga restrictions, iyong hindi pagsuot ng mask, tinanggal nila. Inalis na nila iyong mask then tumataas iyong kaso nila,” he said.
Herbosa noted the dreaded virus still exists in the country, even in areas under a less restrictive Alert Level 1 system.
“So, ako ang recommendation ko habang tayo ay nandito pa rin sa Alert Level 1, mayroon pa ring paisa-isang may COVID diyan at pag nagkasintomas tayo kahit tayo nasa bakasyon, mag-isolate po tayo para hindi na natin maikalat iyong – kasi siyempre very important iyong minimum public health standards.”
Herbosa said people should be vigilant in going to crowded areas because there is also a high chance of spreading the virus.
“Mas maganda iyong mga bakasyon na medyo hindi masyadong risky. So, gamitin natin iyong ating kaalaman at common sense sa dalawang taon na naman nating ginagawa,” he said.
“So, hindi na dapat maiba, even if we are allowed to do family vacation or visiting tourist destinations dito sa Pilipinas,” he added.
The Philippines logged 2,651 new cases from March 23 to 29—lower than the 3,319 infections from the previous week.
The average number of daily cases is at 378, with only one case added to the severe and critical cases tally.
The nation’s cumulative case fatality rate remained low at 1.61% while the recovery rate is at 97.3%. (PNA)-ngs
