ALTHOUGH health officials could not declare a community transmission of the Delta variant yet, they are already assuming that this is happening in their pandemic response.
“The assumption is there but we still need to have evidence for us to officially pronounce that there is really community transmission," said Department of Health (DOH) Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.
Vergeire earlier cautioned against the use of the term surge in cases, saying this is used in relation to the healthcare utilization rate.
“When we look at our numbers currently we were averaging to 5,000 to 6,000 cases in the past two weeks, but now we have this rise to 8,000 in the past two days,” she said.
“Hindi pa natin sinasabi na biglaang pagtaas o malaking pagtaas pero nakikita natin ang tuloy-tuloy na ang pagtaas,” she added.
At present, she said country’s healthcare system is at moderate risk.
She urged the public to not be complacent and continue observing health protocols, such as wearing of face masks and face shields, and physical distancing.
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Edsel Salvaña, for his part, said the public’s compliance to the quarantine restrictions and health protocols is vital in preventing the Delta variant from further spreading.
He also urged the acceleration of vaccination of the priority groups. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)