Philippines sets containment strategies after ranking 2nd in Southeast Asia on COVID-19 cases
Published July 7, 2020 3:15pm
Malacañang on Tuesday announced measures to reduce new COVID-19 infections after the Philippines overtook Singapore as the country with the second-highest number of cases in Southeast Asia.
In a televised briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque emphasized the role of local government units in enforcing localized lockdowns in barangays, streets and buildings and the strict implementation of minimum public health standards.
The Palace also appealed to employers to carry out COVID-19 tests for employees and vulnerable groups like the elderly, people with comobordities and pregnant women to stay home.
Roque added the government is taking steps to improve the country’s contact tracing, isolation and treatment efforts.
Indonesia leads Southeast Asian countries in terms of COVID-19 cases with 64,958 as of Monday, followed by the Philippines (46,333) and Singapore (44,983). The Philippines posted a new single-day record of 2,434 cases on Sunday.
Roque said the surge in new infections was not surprising since there is no cure or vaccine yet for COVID-19.
“Wala naman pong dahilan para mabahala. Kinakailangan lang po talaga ipatupad ang mga siguradong armas natin laban sa COVID-19,” he said in a televised briefing, as he reminded the public once again to wear face masks, observe hand hygiene and physical distancing as well as to stay healthy.
“Nasa kamay n’yo na po ang mangyayari sa inyong kalusugan. Talaga pong ‘yang mga boodle fight, ‘yung mga pagtitipon, sure recipe po ‘yan sa pagkakasakit at bagamat konti ang namamatay eh baka malasin kayo at masama kayo sa datos. Huwag naman po sana.”
He maintained that the Philippines is winning the war against the virus, which has already killed 1,303 people in the country. — RSJ, GMA News
