Manila sets 6 targets to curb coronavirus pandemic

MANILA:THE Department of Health (DOH) said that the end of the coronavirus pandemic in the country only if vaccination targets are met in order to prevent a spike in cases.

But Maria Rosario Vergeire, the DOH officer in charge, said the achievement of the vaccination target is only the first of six conditions before declaring the country free from COVID-19.

The five others include testing. “Testing and surveillance system are very important so that you can determine how many cases are there if there are outbreaks happening and if the virus is mutating,” Vergeire said.

Another is clinical management, Vergeire said. She pointed out the Philippine hospitals and other medical facilities should always be prepared if there is a surge in COVID-19 cases.

The third condition is the healthcare facilities should institutionalise infection control measures. “We should know how to manage patience and protect facilities and healthcare workers,” Vergeire said.

And the fourth condition is that risk communication should be present, she said.

She added that the DOH and other concerned government agencies should continue reminding the public that the risk is still there.

Vergeire was reacting to some misinterpretations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) pertaining to the end of the pandemic.

“They (netizens) thought that the pandemic is about to end, but the important things said in the story are needed so we will really reach the end of the pandemic,” Vergeire said.

She pointed out the six conditions are needed so that the Philippines may see an end to the pandemic.

In the Philippines, Vergeire said she, herself, and the DOH felt that what we are seeing is that the pandemic is about to end.“

But we need to be ready because we know that even if the pandemic ends, the virus is here to stay,” she explained.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos signed an executive order on Monday liting the wearing of face masks outdoors.