Malacañang renewed its appeal to the public to get vaccinated against the coronavirus (COVID-19) as the new Omicron variant is still dangerous especially to those who have not received the shot.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles made the statement as the government continues to address the new variant that possibly fueled the recent spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
In his press briefing on Friday, January 14, Nograles said the public should not be complacent since Omicron is dangerous for the unvaccinated.
He likewise clarified that accounts of the variant only causing mild symptoms were only for the fully vaccinated.
"Ganito po inilarawan ng World Health Organization ang (This is how the WHO describes) Omicron: 'Dangerous especially for the unvaccinated,' kaya huwag po tayong magpakakampante (so let us not be complacent)," he said.
"Ang obserbasyon na hindi malala ang sintomas o iyong sinasabi iyong sakit na dulot ng Omicron kung ikukumpara sa Delta variant ay applicable lamang po sa mga fully vaccinated (The observation that Omicron's symptoms is not severe compared to the Delta variant is only applicable to the fully vaccinated)," he added.
The acting Palace spokesman reminded the public to continue following health protocols and get vaccinated.
"Patuloy tayong mag-mask nang tama, maghugas ng kamay, umiwas sa mararaming tao o iyong mga matataong lugar, at magpabakuna na po at magpa-booster shots na po (Let's conitnue wearing our face mask, wash our hands, avoid crowded places, and get vaccinated and get our booster shot)," he said.
"Ang mga simpleng bagay na ito ang sasagip sa atin at sa ating bansa at sa sitwasyong kinakaharap po natin ngayon. Panghuli, patuloy po tayong magtulungan (These simple things will save us and our country from the situation we are in now. Let's us continue helping one another)," he added.
The rising number of COVID-19 cases prompted the government's pandemic task force to place Metro Manila and 81 other areas under Alert Level 3 until the end of the month.