VOTERS have been reminded anew by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte to follow with the minimum public health standards in polling places on the May 9 polls to prevent another COVID-19 surge.
During his Talk to the People aired on Wednesday morning, Duterte raised alarm over the possible increase in COVID-19 infections as reported separately by the OCTA Research and the Department of Health (DOH).
“Ang problema ganito, if the next surge is not the Omicron type or mga variants, whatever, kung ang makuha mo ‘yung COVID-19 original killer, so that would be a serious problem again. As everybody knows, unlike others na may antibodies ka na na you’re okay for life, apparently itong COVID-19 does not fit into the picture,” he said.
The DOH earlier reported that a 50% decrease in the compliance of minimum public health standards (MPHS) in the National Capital Region may result in 25,000 to 60,000 new Covid-19 cases per day by mid-May.
For OCTA Research’s part, they have projected an increase in Covid-19 infections as high as 50,000 to 1000,000 active cases soon, considering the rise in cases in other countries like South Africa and India.
To prevent any of this from happening, Duterte underscored the importance of compliance to health protocols even in polling precincts, considering that the 2022 elections are fast approaching and crowding is likely to take place in participating schools.
“Remember when you go to the electoral precincts, kindly tell yourself that you have to remember the things that the government wants you to follow so that hindi masyado tayong mahirapan (so we would not have much trouble) and we will prevent another surge,” he said.
Further, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III also acknowledged the possibility of the COVID-19 surge, stressing the need to ramp up the vaccination and booster coverages in the country.
“Ang surge is always a possibility. Pero para maibsan o maiwasan po, basta sumunod o tumalima sa ating minimum public health standards at saka ‘yung patuloy na vaccination trajectory natin at booster dose uptake, ‘yan po ay paliliwigin pa natin,” he added.
