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Prelate says no particular group to blame for entry of Indian COVID-19 variant in PH

Philippines | National

Prelate says no particular group to blame for entry of Indian COVID-19 variant in PH

By Leslie Ann Aquino

A Catholic prelate said the entry to the country of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) variant first detected in India should not be blamed on any particular group.

Military Bishop Oscar Florencio/CBCP NEWS

Bishop Oscar Florencio, vice chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Health Care (CBCP-ECHC), stressed that this is not the time to point fingers at anyone.

"Times like this to be pointing fingers is not appropriate or is bad taste," he said in an interview Wednesday, May 12.

"We can't blame one group here because our enemy is not seen and besides we don't have any control over its passage to our country," added Florencio.

Instead of pointing fingers, the Military bishop said, people should help stop the spread of the coronavirus by following the health protocols.

"What we need to do is keep the protocols in mind and as much as possible have oneself inoculate," Florencio.

He also asked the faithful to seek protection from God.

"Don't forget our almighty for protection," Florencio said.

The Department of Health (DOH) on Tuesday announced that the Indian variant has already reached the Philippines.

DOH - Epidemiology Bureau (EB) Director Dr Alethea De Guzman said the first case is a 37-year old male sea-based overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who arrived in the country last April 10 from Oman.

The second case is a 58-year old male sea-based OFW, who arrived in the Philippines last April 19 from the United Arab Emirates.

The DOH said the first case was able to recover last April 26, and was tested negative for COVID-19 in May 3.

The second case also recovered May 6, and is asymptomatic.

Related Tags

covid-19 oscar florencio CBCP

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