Health-care groups call for solidarity amid rising covid-19 cases

SEVERAL health-care professional organizations call for solidarity against Covid-19 as morbidity and mortality spiked sharply with the partial lifting of community quarantine measures in major areas in the country including Metro Manila and Metro Cebu.

The groups, including the Philippine College of Physicians, Philippine Medical Association, Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, and Philippine College of Chest Physicians, Philippine Pediatric Society, Philippine College of Occupational Medicine, and Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians, call on the government and the citizenry to join hands as signs of another surge appear.

Citing data from the Department of Health, Dr. Encarnita C. Blanco-limpin, vice president of the Philippine College of Physicians says that there is a notable increase of positive cases recorded per day from June until the onset of July.

While there is an increase in samples tested from March until July, Dra. limpin emphasizes that the data also shows a clear spike in positive cases. Compared to the average 200 positive cases per day in March, the data reveals that positive cases now reach more than 2,000.

She says, “This is not merely about the test that we are doing but really an increase in the number of people who are getting sick from Covid-19.”

Recently, major hospitals have released public advisories of reaching full capacity of allocated Covid-19 wards and Intensive Care Units (ICUS), prompting a warning of having an overwhelmed healthcare system should positive cases continue to increase. The groups warn that the Philippines may become the next global epicenter of Covid-19 unless prompt action is taken by our leaders and the general public.

Moreover, this has increased the demands of a health-care work force that already faces fear, fatigue, anxiety, and even stigmatization.

The rise in unproven tests and treatments

POSSIBLY responsible for the rise in cases is a surge of unproven tests, treatments, and preventive measures. Dr. Arthur Dessi Roman of PSMID meanwhile warns that the continued use of Rapid Antibody Tests (RATS) for clearance to return to work means that infectious patients are being cleared and maybe spreading the disease.

On the other hand, patients that are being told that they are “immune” may become complacent in the practice of nonpharmaceutical interventions. Also, unproven treatments such as steam inhalation and vitamin supplements may be giving people a false sense of security, leading to relaxed vigilance in the practice of proven measures. Wikipedia lists unproven treatments for Covid-19, many of which originate from the Philippines.

“Everyone is urged to comply with practices and strategies that have been proven to be effective in mitigating the spread of Covid-19,” Dr. Roman says. “As we comply, it is equally important to correctly use these strategies: handwashing and hand hygiene, use of mask, and social distancing.”

Enhanced adherence vs enhanced quarantine

THE country may no longer be able to endure another period of ECQ as many Filipinos have lost jobs, so the group emphasizes the role of each individual as the true frontliner—the first line of defense against Covid-19. Since the development, manufacturing, and distribution of safe and effective interventions that can prevent and treat may take several more years, each Filipino must master the list of core preventive interventions and recognize how effective these are when properly implemented. In addition to physical distancing, hand washing and wearing masks in public, new scientific findings have highlighted the need for other measures as well.

Dr. Romelei Camiling-alfonso, technical staff of the Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians meanwhile explains that with the recognition that airborne transmission plays a role in spreading disease, adequate ventilation is now more important in public transport and the workplace, together with the use of face shields and the conduct of public activities in open spaces.

She says, “There is more work do to. Most of the policies, most should be operationalized at the local government and when we talk to the barangay captions and the mayors, they still need more help to bring the systemic intervention at the level of the community.”

Dr. limpin also calls fellow Filipino citizens and the government to join together against Covid-19. “What is important is for us to help one another,” Dr. limpin reiterates. “We do not want our healthcare system to breakdown because of the increasing rise of Covid-19 cases in the country. We need to join together, do what we should be doing as Filipino individuals to prevent the increase of cases.”

In their statement, the groups say “Instead of resorting to and promoting unproven strategies, we must join hands and make sure everyone knows these strategies that have worked in controlling the pandemic in other countries.”

“All sectors—the public, government, business, civil society, faith-based organizations, healthcare workers, and academe—must work together to prevent infections and to save lives while we wait for a vaccine.”