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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Palace to public: Avoid COVID-19 super spreader events

Palace to public: Avoid COVID-19 super spreader events

Published May 26, 2021 02:02 pm

Malacañang has appealed to the public to refrain from attending pool parties and other large gatherings that could potentially trigger a dangerous coronavirus outbreak.

People form a long line leading to a community pantry in Manila in this photo taken in April 2021 (Ali Vicoy/Manila Bulletin)

According to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, the public should steer clear of mass events and gatherings that increase the risk of getting or spreading the virus, continue to follow health protocols, and get vaccinated once the opportunity comes.

Roque made the urgent appeal after dozens of people tested positive for coronavirus after recently attending a pool party in Quezon City.

READ: Pool party, drinking sessions cause COVID-19 transmission in QC village

"Mga kababayan ha, hindi po porke mababa po ang ating utilization rate ay pupunta na kayo sa super spreader events. Tingnan ninyo po iyong nangyari sa swimming pool diyan sa Quezon City, hindi po bababa sa singkuwenta ang positibo sa COVID (To our countrymen, just because our health care utilization rate is low does not mean you can go to super spreader events. Look at what happened to the swimming pool party in Quezon City, the number of people who tested COVID positive was not lower than 50)," Roque said during an online briefing Tuesday, May 25.

"Kaunting tulog na lang po, magkakaroon na tayo ng vaccine protection eh bakit naman ngayon pa kayo pupunta sa mga super spreader events? (Just a few more sleeps until we will have vaccine protection so why would you go to super spreader events?)" he asked.

The government has prohibited mass gatherings in areas under community quarantine except for those related to government services, humanitarian activities, and religious activities at limited venue capacity.

As the coronavirus remained a threat to public health, Roque echoed President Duterte's appeal for people to continue to wear masks, keep a safe distance from others, and get inoculated against COVID-19. He maintained that the best coronavirus vaccine is the one already available.

"Huwag na huwag na kayong pupunta sa super spreader events nang abutan natin ang bakuna at hindi ang sementeryo (Don't ever go to super spreader events so we can get vaccinated and not end up in the cemetery)," he said.

READ: Pool parties are illegal and threat to public health, DILG warns public

The country has so far received more than 8 million doses of coronavirus vaccines, including Sinovac, AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, and Pfizer. More than 4 million doses have been administered so far to the public, mostly health workers, seniors, and people with comorbidity or preexisting medical conditions.

The government aims to vaccinate 58 million to 70 million adult Filipinos to reach herd immunity before the end of 2021.

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Harry Roque covid-19 palace outbreak coronavirus super spreader
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