ANTICIPATING a minor surge, the Department of Health (DOH) on Friday, June 17, 2022, renewed its appeal to the people to neither be complacent nor worried over the rise in coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in Metro Manila.

In a press conference, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said there is no need for the public to panic as the increase in Covid-19 cases is still considered as low risk.

"Hopefully, this is going to be a minor surge, if ever there will be a surge," said Duque.

"Hopefully, it is going to be very minor and short lived and not enough to overwhelm the health system's capacity," he added.

The health chief also said it would be unwise for Filipinos to become complacent against Covid-19.

"It does not present itself as an excuse to be complacent. We have to be still complying strictly with the our masking mandate and the rest of the minimum public health standards," he said.

"We don't want to squander our gains," added Duque.

The advisory was issued amid the increasing number of Covid-19 cases, as well as the reproduction number, average daily attack rate, and positivity rate in the National Capital Region.

The health department, however, said the increase is not yet enough to move the risk classification level of Metro Manila from "low" to "moderate." (HDT/SunStar Philippines)