THE possible extension of state calamity in the country due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) depends on the recommendation of the Department of Health (DOH), Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said on Thursday, August 11, 2022.
"It will depend on the recommendation of the DOH. But we will make the announcement when the time comes," Angeles said.
The declaration of state of calamity in the country will end on September 12, 2022.
The DOH said once the state of calamity is lifted, Covid-19 vaccines' emergency use authorization, price controls for Covid-19 drugs and testing kits and health workers' benefits will "cease to be valid."
Marcos earlier instructed health officials to look into the possible extension of the state of calamity declaration.
DOH officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire, for her part, said among their considerations were the country’s wall of immunity against Covid-19, particularly the vaccination of primary and booster doses.
The country currently has a total of 36,035 active Covid-19 cases with 92.06 percent vaccination coverage for the target population. (SunStar Philippines)