Are we resilient enough to stave off any possible Covid-19 surge in May? Experts said yes.
In a webinar held by the University of the Philippines (UP) on Friday, April 22, various health experts said that the country will be “able to handle” the possible Covid-19 reemergence in case it happens.
National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 special adviser Dr. Teodoro “Ted” Herbosa said that reemergence of infections is not a foreign concept and it was already observed in various illnesses.
“Everything is possible. Like any other illness, you can have reemergence. The key is . In the beginning we did not have a playbook, but the thing is we now have a playbook. We now know the rules so I think we will be able to handle it a reemergence happens,” said Herbosa.
This statement was backed by Philippine General Hospital (PGH) Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi who stated that he has a “feeling” that if another surge does take place, hospitalizations and the need for intensive care unit (ICU) beds might not be as bad as the one in previous years.
“We already are using our 42-bed isolation unit. If that gets filled up, we will start opening the wards here, but basically I think that if ever the surge will come, it will be the numbers that will increase. Nevertheless, , I think most hospitals in Metro Manila will be able to handle it,” said Legaspi.
Meanwhile, Dr. Albert Francis Domingo, concurrent Director III of the Department of Health (DOH) Communication Office and Disease Prevention and Control Bureau, urged the public to continuously adhere to the minimum public health standards.
“Maganda lang ipaliwanag na these are all projections and this is not because of the elections. Sana mali ang projection natin at kung ang ating mga kababayan ay patuloy na magma-mask, maghuhugas ng kamay, magdidistansya at pipili ng lugar na may magandang airflow ay hindi mangyayari ang numbers na ‘yun (It is good to explain that these are all projections and this is not because of the elections. I hope our projection is wrong and if the public continues to wear masks, wash their hands, keep their distance, and choose a place with good airflow, those projections will not happen),” said Domingo.