The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday called on the public to wear face masks even when they are inside their homes to prevent family clustering of COVID-19 cases.
In an interview with GMA News’ Unang Balita, DOH Epidemiology Bureau director Dr. Alethea de Guzman said wearing face masks at home will prevent a chain of transmission.
“Lalo na po sa mga bahay na merong matatanda, merong mga kasama sa bahay na meron ding sakit katulad ng hypertension or diabetes, napakahalaga na nagfe-face mask tayo,” she said.
(Especially in households with elderly members or persons with hypertension or diabetes, it is very important that we wear face masks.)
“Sila po naiiwan sa bahay, tayo po lumalabas. So tayo ‘yung posibleng magdala ng mga infection na ito sa loob ng bahay at napakabilis po talaga mag-transmit within our homes,” she added.
(They are left at home while we go outside, so we might be the ones bringing the virus to our houses and it can transmit really quickly within our homes.)
The DOH earlier expressed concern about family clustering amid a new surge in COVID-19 cases.
“Kailangan maramdaman talaga nating lahat… na napakahalaga ng ginagawa nating minimum public health standards,” De Guzman said regarding the family clustering.
Wearing of face mask at home urged to prevent family clustering – DOH
(We all need to understand that observing minimum public health standards is really important.)
Meanwhile, the OCTA Research team said the Philippines could record up to 20,000 new COVID-19 cases daily by April if the new surge of infections would not be controlled.
A reproduction number of one or higher indicates a continuous transmission of the virus.
However, the projection could be prevented if the national and local government would continue to implement strict health protocols, localized lockdowns, and curfew hours.
“Possible ‘yan pero binase natin sa current reproduction number ng mga 1.9 so ibig sabihin kung hindi pa natin mapabagal ang pagtaas ng bilang ng kaso, ‘yan ang puwede nating maabot na numero per day ‘yan,” David said.
(It’s possible (to reach 20,000 cases per day) but it was based on our current reproduction number of 1.9. If we can’t control the surge in cases, we can reach 20,000 per day.)