Malacañang said the government will implement more strictly basic health protocols and response efforts in case the dreaded Delta variant of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) arrived in the country.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after Octa Research fellow Ranjit Rye said the Delta variant entering the Philippines was now a matter of "when" and not "if."
In his press briefing on Wednesday, July 14, Roque said the government was continuously preparing should the Delta variant which was first detected in India spread in the Philippines.
"Patuloy po ang pag-increase ng ating health care capacity, patuloy po tayong gumagawa ng mga ICU beds at tsaka isolation beds, at tsaka mga temporary treatment and monitoring facilities (We continue to increase our health care capacity, add more ICU beds and isolation beds, and make more temporary treatment and monitoring facilities)," he said.
"Pinapaigting pa rin po natin ang border patrols natin para nga hindi makapasok 'yang Delta variant na 'yan (We are also being strict in our border patrols so the Delta variant cannot enter the country),' he added.
However, Roque expressed confidence that the government already knows what to should the Delta variant spread in the country.
"Mas paiigtingin pa po natin ang paghahanda natin lalo na sa (We will intensify our preparations especially the) Mask, Hugas, Iwas, at Bakuna; at pagpapalakas ng (and intensify out) prevention, detection, isolation, and treatment protocols," he said.
The Mask, Hugas, Iwas, Bakuna slogan is the government's mantra in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
As of July 13, the Department of Health reported the following bed capacities nationwide:
- ICU beds (3,500 total): 56% utilized
- Isolation beds (19,300 total): 46% utilized
- Ward beds (12,200 total): 42% utilized
- Ventilators (2,800 total): 37% utilized
Meanwhile, the DOH reported the following bed utilization rate in Metro Manila:
- ICU beds (1,200 total): 43% utilized
- Isolation beds (4,800 total): 37% utilized
- Ward beds (3,500 total): 32% utilized
- Ventilators (1,000 total): 33% utilized
The government has also extended the travel restrictions on India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates until July 31, 2021.