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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Political rallies may trigger spike of COVID-19 cases, health expert says

Political rallies may trigger spike of COVID-19 cases, health expert says

Published Dec 13, 2021 01:03 pm

A public health advocate said that political rallies may be a "superspreader event" and cause the spike of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country.

(File Photo / Unsplash)

In a DZRH interview, Dr. Anthony "Tony" Leachon, former National Task Force (NTF) special adviser, said that political rallies, such as motorcades and caravans, may trigger the spike of infections in the Philippines, citing the "superspreader events" in India.

“Ang cause ng Delta variant sa India ay political rallies at religious gatherings... kaya umabot ng 400,000 ‘yung cases at 4,000 deaths kasi nagpo-political rallies, and sorties, and campaign (The cause of Delta variant in India are political rallies and religious gatherings... that’s why their cases reached 400,000 and their deaths hit 4,000, because of political rallies, and sorties, and campaign),” said Leachon on Sunday, Dec. 12.

Leachon then urged the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF), and the Department of Health (DOH) to review the history of Delta variant spread in India and create guidelines on protocols for a better campaign amid the election season.

Meanwhile, Leachon reiterated that he is not against political rallies, he said that there should only be guidelines to avoid the spread of infections.

“Dapat may guidelines. Kung may guidelines nga sa mall, may guidelines sa simbahan, dapat ay may guidelines din sa political rallies (There should be guidelines. If we have guidelines on malls and churches, then there should be guidelines for political rallies),” he added. (Charie Mae F. Abarca)

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