The increase in COVID-19 cases in various parts of the country is “manageable,” said treatment czar Health Usec. Leopoldo Vega this Sunday.
“Manageable pero kailangan talaga natin ipatupad ’yong minimum health standards natin. Kasi napansin namin, once there is a break of level of compliance dito sa local government units, doon mo mapapansin talaga ang pagra-rise,” said Vega.
Apart from the National Capital Region, the highest number of COVID-19 cases was also recorded in Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and the Cagayan Valley region.
Some of the specific areas that hit the new peak of cases are Davao City, Cagayan de Oro City, South Cotabato, and Iloilo City.
According to Vega, border control and other means of responding to COVID-19 are also being intensified.
“Ang ginagawa talaga ngayon sa mga local government units, alam nila na the only way para ma-prevent ’yong transmission or spread of the virus, talagang gagawa sila ng border control,” said Vega.
“Nagbigay na rin kami ng mga support kasi alam natin na sa outside of Metro Manila, ang ratio between population at intensive care unit, talagang mababa ’yan. Kaya kailangan talaga bibigyan mo ng support, lalo na ng equipment,” he added.
Increase in COVID-19 cases still ‘manageable’: treatment czar
According to Vega, critical care beds are being added in Western Visayas, Southern Mindanao, Caraga, and the Zamboanga Peninsula.
The DOH has also deployed additional medical staff in the provinces. But 22 percent still do not fill the 10,000 reserved emergency hiring positions.
The Philippine Red Cross, on the other hand, urged the public to get vaccinated, especially now that its positive effects on the medical staff are being seen.
The number of healthcare workers affected by COVID-19 has dropped by 40 percent.
The number of returning overseas Filipino workers who tested positive for the virus also dropped in May.
“Maaring sila rin po ay na nabakunahan na nang kumpleto bago sila nakauwi ng Pilipinas,” said Dr. Michael Tee, consultant at Red Cross.
According to the Red Cross, the government needs to strengthen tracing, testing, and isolation to prevent the spread of the virus.
Visit our Facebook page for more news updates.