Aside from an increase in the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the country, an official of the Philippine College of Emergency Medicine revealed that family clustering of cases has also been observed.
"We've noticed that there is family clustering…if before, what we are counting are only individual cases but now we noticed that many families are going for consultation,” Philippine College of Emergency Medicine president and Emergency Medicine Specialist Dr. Pauline Convocar told DZMM in an interview Sunday, March 7.
"That's why we are appealing to the public as well to really continue the minimum public health standards," she added.
When asked for the possible reason for the family clustering, Convocar said there are a lot of possible reasons for this but mostly because they are living together.
She said since the restrictions are lifted people can now roam around.
Convocar said some people might also think that its okay not to follow the minimum health standards anymore because of the arrival of the vaccines.
"This is also a warning that it doesn't mean that just because the vaccines are already available we will not follow anymore the minimum public health standards," she said.
Convocar said there are also reports of pediatric cases.
"I don't have the numbers but there are reports saying they are seeing pediatric cases. I think we need to also investigate that particular area," she said.
"Since they are in one household it's understandable that they may be infected together," added Convocar.
She also said that not everyone warrants admission as most cases are mild to moderate.