Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Wednesday, July 21, again called on Filipinos to remain vigilant and strictly comply with health and safety protocols in the wake of the Delta variant of COVID-19.
The Philippines, according to Go, could not afford to go ‘’back to zero.’’
During his visit to fire victims in Davao City on Tuesday, July 20, the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health said the Delta variant is more dangerous and contagious, citing the current situation in Indonesia which has recently overtaken India as the epicenter of the pandemic in Asia.
“Itong Delta variant, delikado po talaga ito. Since meron na pong local cases, ‘wag na nating hintayin na magkaroon ng local transmission (This Delta variant is really dangerous. Since there are already local cases, let us not wait to have local transmission). Posible po ang local transmission kasi local cases meron pong nahawa. Ayaw natin mangyari na magiging out of control na po tulad ng nangyari sa Indonesia (We do not want this to be out of control in the country as what is happening now in Indonesia) ,” Go said.
“Tignan n’yo po ang nangyari sa bansang Indonesia, tumaas ang kaso dahil mabilis po ang pagkahawa nitong Delta variant (Look at what is happening in Indonesia, the case has increased because Delta variant spreads very fast). Four times more contagious, 40 to 60 percent po na nakakahawa than any other variant. Importante po dito, huwag tayong magkumpiyansa. Kailangan po disiplina ng bawat Pilipino (It is four times more contagious, 40 to 60 percent more contagious than any other variant. Let us not be confident. Filipinos need to observe discipline),” he added.
The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday reported that eight new cases of the highly contagious COVID-19 Delta variant tested positive following re-testing. Two of the cases were returning overseas Filipinos, one in Misamis Oriental, and four from Cagayan de Oro. Meanwhile, a case was also reported in capital city Manila.
Go repeated his appeal for continued discipline and cooperation from all Filipinos when it comes to following health and safety regulations, regardless of the community's quarantine status imposed in their areas.
The senator from Davao said that the country could not afford to go back to zero and apply tougher restrictions, as this would have a significant negative impact on the economy.
The President has recently agreed to put Metro Manila and surrounding provinces under regular General Community Quarantine after its previous quarantine status ended on July 15.
The national capital will remain in the classification until July 31.