PRRD thanks frontliners, scientists

President Duterte advised the public not to be complacent and continue observing minimum public health standards despite the low Covid-19 infection rate in the country.

Duterte said this after learning that the country has less than 4,000 active coronavirus cases.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the country’s current daily case figure already “breached” the lowest recorded average prior to the Omicron experience.

“National cases continue to decline, currently averaging 146 cases per day, breaching the lowest recorded average prior to Omicron peak at 254,” said Vergeire during a press briefing on Friday, May 13.

“National and majority of the regions are at minimal-risk case classification,” she added. Also, the country’s healthcare utilization remains at low-risk.

In his "Talk to the People" on Thursday, May 12, the President asked the public to continue observing frequent handwashing, physical distancing, and mask-wearing.

“We still have to follow the minimum requirements to avoid recontamination kung natamaan ka na (if you already had Covid before) because there is . . .it can infect you again and again,” he pointed out.

“Pero yung requirement ng gobyerAfter no sa mask sa tao nakatulong talaga ‘yan because it can really prevent itong ano, ‘yung surge. Nakatulong talaga itong masks basta (The government's requirement to wear a mask helped a lot in preventing a surge as long) you wear it properly,” he added.

During the same meeting, Health Undersecretary Dr. Abdullah Dumama, who was also present in the meeting, said the Department of Health (DOH) is doing strict surveillance to monitor any possible entry of emerging coronavirus disease variants in the country and prevent a surge.

According to Dumama, the entire health department is prepared to address any uptick in cases of emerging Covid-19 variants.

He also appealed to Filipinos to get vaccinated and get their booster shots to enhance the population’s immunity to the said respiratory disease.

Meanwhile, President Duterte thanked the medical and scientific community and the frontliners for remarkably fighting Covid-19 alongside his administration.

“The Philippines was able to manage the deadly coronavirus disease largely due to the combined efforts of the country’s doctors, scientists, and other frontliners,” he said.

“I likewise thank the Filipino people for continuing to cooperate with the health authorities and for following health protocols. Pasalamat sa lahat, lahat na (I thank all) who participated in the fight against Covid,” he added. (With a report from Analou De Vera)