Filipinos may have a better Christmas this year in relation to dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the OCTA Research Group.
In the public briefing this Thursday, Dr. Butch Ong said that the public is now more knowledgeable about precautions against the virus compared to before.
“Our vaccination is actually higher compared to last year, the number of vaccination is really higher, and our current variant, mostly asymptomatic to mild disease,” explained Ong.
“Ang ating mga mamamayan ay more attuned na to the preventive measures for safety. Maaaring mas maganda ang ating Kapaskuhan ngayong taon na ito. ‘Wag lang tayo magpabaya sa ating mga safety measures,” he reminded.
(Our citizens are more attuned to the preventive measures for safety. Our Christmas season could be better this year. Let’s not neglect our safety measures.)
Among the minimum public health standards that the Department of Health (DOH) continues to remind is the continued use of face masks.
This Wednesday, Malacañang announced that the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) recommended that the use of face masks be made optional in open spaces or non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation.
However, DOH insists that it is still necessary for teachers and students to wear face masks at school in face-to-face classes following the suggestion that it be made optional when outdoors.
PH may have better Christmas due to higher vaccination rate
Department of Health (DOH) officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said this Thursday that it is still necessary to ensure everyone’s safety from COVID-19.
She clarified that the Inter-Agency Task Force of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) recommendation to make face mask use optional is only in open spaces and in the latter part of the year that can be implemented.
She also appealed to parents and guardians to ensure their children wear face masks at school to avoid being infected with the virus.
It is said that this can be done if the COVID-19 booster continues to increase in the country.
Based on the DOH’s national COVID-19 vaccination list, there are 72.6 million Filipinos fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of Tuesday, September 7. Of that number, only 18.3 million have booster shots.