Be vigilant against COVID risk, DOH tells public as easing of lockdown nears
The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday reminded the public of the continuous threat of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission as the government announced the easing of community quarantine measures in some areas of the country.
“Kailangan manatiling maingat at mapagmatyag. Habang wala pang nadidiskubreng bakuna, lahat tayo ay laging nasa panganib na mahawa sa COVID-19 (We need to be careful and vigilant. While no vaccine has yet been discovered, we are all at risk of being infected with COVID-19),” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a press briefing on Tuesday, May 12.
“If we are not careful, there’s a possibility that enhanced community quarantine or lockdown will be enforced again in our communities,” she said in Pilipino.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque earlier announced the list of “low-risk areas” that will no longer be subjected to community quarantine measures after May 15, while “moderate risk areas” will be under the general community quarantine.
However, the government placed the National Capital Region, Cebu City, and Laguna province under “modified enhanced community quarantine.”
Vergeire said there is a possibility that cases of COVID-19 will increase once the lockdown or quarantine measures are lifted or relaxed.
“Nakita natin ito sa mga bansang South Korea, Japan, China at Singapore (We have seen this in South Korea, Japan, China, and Singapore),” she said.
“The Department gives the assurance it will do all it can, together with other government agencies and private sector partners, to be better prepared and continue to enhance and improve our efforts in testing, isolation, hospital capacity, and equipment of manpower, in the event that it happens to us what occurred in the countries I mentioned,” she said in Pilipino.
To prevent further infections, the Health official reminded the public to be vigilant and observe all the minimum health standards.
Minimum health standards include the wearing of masks, physical distancing, observing cough etiquette, and maintaining personal hygiene, among others.
Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday called on the local government units (LGUs) to remain vigilant to sustain the gains they achieved in controlling the spread of the virus.
DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año issued the call after the DOH, in its official findings, said that the country is beginning to flatten the curve or showing marked improvement in preventing the spread of the virus.
“We are now beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel as the government’s efforts and the cooperation of the citizens against COVID-19 are now bearing fruit,’’ Año said.
With these gains, Año appealed to the public never to let their guards down and to just continue with their sacrifices of being disciplined to further contain COVID-19. (With a report from Chito Chavez)