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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Health expert warns community pantries could cause uptick in COVID-19 cases

Health expert warns community pantries could cause uptick in COVID-19 cases

Published Apr 25, 2021 12:25 pm

A health expert warned that community pantries could cause another uptick in coronavirus cases (COVID-19).

(ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN)

In an interview over DZMM on Sunday, April 25, Dr. Eric Tayag said community pantries are potential superspreader events.

"Bagamat maganda ang hangarin ng isang community pantry, maaring maging isang dahilan to na dumami na naman yung mga kaso natin (Although a community pantry has good intentions, it may be a reason for our cases to increase again)," Tayag noted.

Tayag also appealed to elderly people and persons with comorbidities to not to go out of their houses to line up in community pantries.

This after a senior citizen died while queuing at a community pantry in Quezon City.

Community pantry organizers were also asked to limit the number of people within a period of time, Tayag said.

"Kahit sabihin nating outdoor yan meron pa ring maliit na risk lalo na ganun katabi-tabi... Hindi lang yung layo, pati yung dami. At least three or six feet, e kung 1,000 naman yun hindi rin naman maganda yun (Even if we say it's outdoor, there's still a small risk, especially because there are a lot of people. We should not only watch the distance between people but their numbers. Even if you observe three to six feet distancing, if there are 1,000 people, it's not good)," the physician continued.

"Sana yung community pantry, wag na kayong dumadayo. Halimbwa, sa Quezon City yan, e bat naman kayong taga-Paranaque ay pupunta pa dun? Yan pong community pantry, mainam po yan dun sa kanya-kanyang barangay. So ang magtutulungan yung mga barangay na yun. Wag kayong dadayo (Don't go to a community pantry far from your barangay. For example, if you're from Paranaque, do not go anymore to a community pantry in Quezon City. Just find a community pantry within your barangay)," Tayag added.

Meanwhile, Tayag urged those who experience COVID-19 symptoms to get tested right away.

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