The pandemic situation in the Philippines remains “very fragile” as the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country is currently on a “plateau,” the Department of Health (DOH) said.

“Sa kasalukuyan, nakakaranas tayo ng pag plateau sa kabuuang bilang ng kaso ng COVID-19 sa ating bansa (Currently, we are experiencing a plateau in the total number of COVID-19 cases in our country),” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Monday, July 12.

“At nananatili paring very fragile ang ating situation (And our situation remains very fragile),” she added.

The health official has also expressed expressed concern over the continuous spread of coronavirus virus of concern worldwide, noting that the public should not let their guard down.

“Ang patuloy ding paglaganap ng mas nakakahawang variants sa ibang panig ng mundo ay mas nangangahulugan na dapat patuloy tayong lahat na nagiingat laban sa sakit na ito (The continued spread of more contagious variants in other parts of the world also means that we must all continue to be vigilant against this disease),” she said.

She also underscored the importance of intensifying the country’s border protocols to prevent the entry of more highly infectious coronavirus variants.

“We are in the race against these variants,” Vergeire said.

She noted that the cooperation of every sector of the community will greatly help to further reduce the number of new infections in the country, as well as prevent the entry of new variants.

‘3rd wave’ in Central Visayas

The Health department will be having a dialogue with health authorities from Central Visayas following the latter’s declaration that the region is currently on its “third wave” of infections.

The Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit in Region VII has reportedly announced recently that the region is now experiencing a third wave of infections due to the rise in new cases.

“Makikipag usap tayo sa kanila (We will talk to them) regarding this matter, although we have verified their numbers already,” Vergeire said.

She explained that when there is an increase of cases in an area, variants would always be a major factor. But she noted that multitude of factors drive the spike in new infections.

This includes mobility, border controls, public’s compliance on health standards, and observance of safety protocols on workplaces and establishments.

The health official acknowledged that a rise in new cases has been observed in specific areas in the region, particularly in Cebu City and some parts of Cebu province.

“At nakita natin na unti-unti na pagtaas. Nawala na yung pagbaba at plateauing of cases dito sa mga lugar na ito (We have seen a gradual increase. The decline and plateauing of cases have disappeared in these areas),” Vergeire said.

“We still need to further verify so that we can have one message for these rise in cases in Central Visayas,” she added.