The Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) appealed to the public on Sunday, March 14, to continue observing and strictly practicing the minimum public health standards amid the rising number of new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.
"We should work together. Stay home if you can. Continue adherence to the minimum health standards even while at home. Wash your hands. Wear your mask and face-shield. Keep distance from others," the PCP said in a statement.
Noting the uptick in cases, the PCP said the infection rates were approaching those of July last year, when the number of new cases being recorded daily went up to 6,000.
"More healthcare workers are getting sick, hospital beds are again becoming less available. should we gear up for another lockdown? The frontliners who haven't fully recovered from exhaustion might struggle again to face another battle," the PCP said.
The PCP said that the country "cannot endure" another strict lockdown due to "its dire socio-economic impact." "We have vaccinated only a fraction of our priority groups so we still need to intensify our compliance to the minimum health standards to prevent further spread, knowing that the variants co-exist," it said.
The PCP urged the public to "let us put an end to COVID-19." On Saturday, the Department of Health (DOH) reported 5,000 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the country’s cumulative total to 616, 611, including 12,766 deaths and 547,1666 recoveries.