An infectious disease expert reminded the public not to be complacent despite the downgrading of the lockdown in the National Capital Region Plus to general community quarantine (GCQ) amid a decline in new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases.
Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal were placed under general community quarantine (GCQ) with "heightened restrictions" from May 15 to May 31.
Dr. Rontgene Solante, Chief of the Adult Infectious Diseases and Tropical unit at the San Lazaro Hospital, has noted a decline in COVID-19 cases amid the recent surge, however, he stressed this should not be a reason for complacency.
"Significant decrease talaga sa mga na-admit ngayon, hindi lang sa government hospitals. Malaking bagay kasi nakaluwang-luwang na tayo in terms of occupancy and nakakapahinga na rin itong mga healthcare worker natin. Still, we continue to get cases but not as alarming that two weeks or three weeks ago (There's a significant decrease in admission not just in public hospitals. It's a huge thing because are occupancy are easing and our healthcare workers can now slightly relax. We continue to get cases but not as alarming as two to three weeks ago)," Solante said in an interview with CNN Philippines on Saturday, May 15.
Solante called for vigilance amid detection of the more transmissible B.1.617 COVID-19 variant first traced to India.
"Surveillance and continued testing with regards to the those with symptoms including those who are hospitalized with COVID para lang ma-monitor natin yung may variant (So we can monitor the variant). Especially the Indian variant," the infectious disease said.
"Alam natin na ang (We know that) Indian variant is known to be the cause of surges of cases sa ibang bansa (in other countries) so we need to be alert on this matter saka napakaimportante yung pag-iingat, nandoon pa rin maski kahit sabihin nating GCQ (so it's important to be careful even if we're under GCQ)," he added.
The Department of Health confirmed the country's first two cases of the "double mutant" variant on May 11.
"We need to practice and strictly implement itong health protocols na ipapa-implement ng gobyerno. Nangyari na yan several times na pag niluwagan natin ang quarantine tumataas ang kaso. Na-experience na natin itong variant-drive surge of cases, mas mataas talaga ang hawaan at tumataas ang kaso. Ayaw na natin sanang mangyari ito (We need to practice and strictly implement these health protocols that the government will implement. It has happened several times that when we relax quarantine measures, the cases increase. We have already experience this variant-drive surge, the infection is actually higher. We don't want this to happen anymore)," Solante said.
On Saturday, OCTA Research group said the daily average number of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila has dropped to 30 percent.
The reproduction number in Metro Manila is currently at 0.57, as against the 1.54 at its peak in late March to early April.