The Senate Committee on Health on Monday, August 9 expressed concern over the increasing number of COVID-19 cases among the younger population.
“Mga kababayan ko, kamakailan naiulat na halos umaabot ng 30 porsyento ang pagtaas sa bilang ng mga batang natatamaan ng COVID-19 nitong nakaraang linggo ayon sa datos ng DOH (My countrymen, it was reported that according to the data of the Department of Health (DOH), the cases of COVID-19 among children has increased to about 30 percent last week),” Senator Christopher ‘’Bong’’ Go, committee chairman, said.
Given this, Go suggested to authorities to study if it is possible to expand the vaccine rollout to cover the younger population once deemed safe by health experts and without prejudice to already identified priority groups.
“Bilang chairman ng Senate Committee on Health, ako ay lubhang nababahala kung hindi natin maagapan at magawan ng paraan upang mapigilan ang mabilis na pagtaas ng bilang — baka mapilitang gawing panibagong priority group ang mga bata at teenagers (As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, I am very alarmed, we have to anticipate and find ways on how to stop the increasing number of infected children — we might be compelled to make the children and the teenagers as the new priority group),” he suggested.
“Hirap na nga tayo sa pagkuha ng bakuna para sa may edad sa kabila ng limitadong supply, baka kailangang maghanap na naman tayo ng mga bakuna para sa mga menor de edad (While it is still difficult for us to get enough vaccines for the elderly due to the limited supply, we might also start now looking for the vaccines for the minors),” he added.
According to data from the Department of Health, the incidence of COVID-19 cases among youngsters in the Philippines rose by about 30 percent.
On August 3, there were 6,879 new COVID-19 cases recorded. Children under the age of 17 accounted for 10.78 percent of the total, or 742 cases.
“Nakakabahala po ang mga naiuulat na tumataas na kaso na mga minors sa mga nahahawa ng COVID-19, dapat po'y maagapan kaagad ito (The report on the increasing number of cases among the minors infected by COVID-19 is very alarming, and we have to be proactive in preventing this) ,” Go said.
He then appealed to the public for their continuing compliance with health protocols, including those who have already been vaccinated.
“Sa patuloy na pananalasa ng mas nakakahawang Delta variant, ako ay umaapela sa kapwa ko Pilipino sundin po natin ang mga health protocols, parati pong magsuot ng face mask, face shield, social distancing at hugas ng kamay, at kung hindi naman po kailangan, huwag munang umalis ng inyong pamamahay dahil delikado pa po ang panahon (With the continuing spread of the highly contagious Delta variant, I am appealing to my fellow Filipinos to follow the health protocols, the wearing of face mask, face shield, social distancing at the washing of hands. And if it is not necessary, do not go out of your homes because the situation is still dangerous),” he added.
“Ugaliing sundin ang mga ito kahit na ikaw ay bakunado. Porket ikaw ay nabakunahan na hindi ibig sabihin hindi mo na madadala ang virus sa pag uwi mo sa inyong bahay. Maaaring makakahawa ka doon sa mga hindi pa bakunado katulad ng mga bata (Make it a habit to follow these even if you’re vaccinated. It doesn’t mean that because you’re already vaccinated you cannot bring the virus to your house and by then you will be contaminating those who are not vaccinated such as the children),” he stressed.
As for those who are already eligible to receive their COVID-19 jabs, the senator from Davao urged them not to waste time and get inoculated immediately.
“If you are not protected against COVID-19, the virus will find you and it will infect you. Delikado po itong COVID-19, lalung-lalo na po itong Delta variant na 4 times more contagious, mas nakakahawa po ito. Please lang po, kailangan po ang kooperasyon ng bawat isa at disiplina po ng bawat Pilipino (This COVID-19 is dangerous, especially the Delta variant which four times more contagious. Please, the cooperation and discipline of every Filipino are needed),” he added.
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