By Deighton Acuin

PHOTO: Philippine Daily Inquirer

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque on Wednesday said there is no need to panic despite the observing surge of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines.

In an interview over The Mangahas Interviews, Roque made the statement after 3,000 new infections were reported for the last four days.

Moreover, Roque urged the public to intensify compliance of minimum health protocols such as wearing face mask and shield, maintaining physical distancing, frequent washing of hands, and getting inoculated with COVID-19 vaccine as soon it becomes available.

“Hindi pa rin ako nagpa-panic, kasi iyong ginawa nga natin iyong lockdown, hinanda natin ang ating health system,” Roque said.

“Nasa 60% ang availability ng hospital beds and facilities [for COVID-19] patients. Kaya natin silang pagsilbihan, alagaan at pagalingin,” Roque added.

Earlier, Roque said there is no need to impose another full-scale lockdown at this time.

Former Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit agreed with Roque but said that the vaccination program should be accelerated to prevent a further economic downturn.

At least 1.12 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered to the Philippines so far.

Of this number, 600,000 doses were Sinovac vaccines donated by the Chinese government while 525,600 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines were donated by wealthy nations and firms under the COVAX facility which aids low and middle-income countries in their pandemic response.


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