According to Health Secretary Franciso Duque, the impact of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) will be seen upon its end.
“Makikita lang natin ang epekto ng ECQ pagkatapos po ng 2 linggo,” said Duque.
“Kaya upang maiwasan ang lalong pagtaas ng mga kaso, kinakailangan paigtingin ng mga local chief executives ang kanilang health systems capacity, coordinated triage, o bigyang prayoridad ang mga severe and critical cases na sila ang unang tanggapin ng mga ospital,” he added.
The reported positivity rate of the Philippines reached 21.9 percent on Tuesday. This is the number of those who tested positive in more than 30,000 who tested on Aug. 8.
But according to Health spokesperson Rosario Vergeire, to see a more concrete pandemic situation, more than 35,000 must be tested.
“If we can reach 80,000 to 90,000 tests per day, mas magiging makabuluhan at makikita natin ang complete picture ng mga nagkakasakit dito sa atin,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Pediatric Society and the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines said there is still a lack of comprehensive data on admission, case severity, and disease outcome in young patients.
Also read: ECQ extension possible if cases continue to increase: DOH
Effects of ECQ to be seen upon its end
It is also being studied whether the Delta variant caused higher infection in children compared to other ages.
Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that the Delta variant causes more serious illness in children, according to the 2 groups.
Today, the country’s health care capacity remains manageable, but intensive care unit beds are over 60 percent occupied.
Meanwhile, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday said unvaccinated individuals should avoid nonessential travel to the Philippines and other areas categorized as Level 3 (COVID-19 High).