Health Secretary Francisco Duque III believes the Philippines situation is much better compared to other ASEAN countries experiencing a surge in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) due to the Delta variant.
"Kumpara sa ibang bansa sa ASEAN na nakakaranas malubhang pagtaas sa kaso dahil sa Delta variant, sa ngayon mas di hamak na mas maayos ang ating kalagayan (Compared to other countries in the ASEAN experiencing a surge in cases due to the Delta variant, our present situation is much better)," he said in a meeting with President Duterte Monday, July 19.
The DOH earlier reported the detection of additional 264 cases with Alpha variant, 299 Beta variant cases, 16 Delta variant cases and 55 Theta variant cases.
To prevent a surge in cases, Duque said, there is a need to further strengthen the PDITR (Prevention, Detection, Isolation, Treatment. and Reintegration) strategies and health systems capacity.
He said this is aside from the implementation of travel restrictions, screening, testing and quarantine in points of entry.
"The cases are continuously being monitored, the health systems indicators, and the different strategies being implemented strengthened to prevent a possible surge which is currently being experienced by our neighbor countries like Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand," Duque said.
"If you recall...we included Indonesia in the travel restrictions," he added.
"Our experts are currently studying whether we will extend our travel restriction to include Malaysia and Thailand," Duque said.