MANILA – While there was a post-holiday surge in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the country, Malacañang said the situation remains “manageable.”
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in his virtual press conference on Monday that the Department of Health (DOH) is still capable of handling the spike in COVID-19 cases.
“Mukhang ang figures po ay nagpapakita na tumaas talaga. So hindi po natin talagang maikakaila na talagang nagkaroon tayo ng holiday surge dahil nag-1,900 [cases] po tayo, highest in three weeks if I’m not mistaken. Kahapon pa lang po,” Roque said.
“Tingin ko naman po magiging manageable ‘yung pagtaas dahil ang importante naman po, handa tayong gamutin ‘yung mga magkakasakit na seryoso dahil 60 percent pa po ang available [beds] natin sa ICU [intensive care unit], sa ating mga isolation, at sa ating mga hospital beds,” he added.
Health secretary Francisco Duque III earlier said they will only be able to determine whether or not the Philippines is experiencing a post-holiday COVID-19 surge by Jan. 15.
Prior to the Yuletide season, President Rodrigo Duterte appealed to the public to skip festivities to avoid the spread of the coronavirus./PN
