The Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday, Jan. 1, assured that the country’s healthcare system is “ready” should there be an increase in Covid-19 cases after the holiday season.
“Tayo po ay handa, simula’t sapul, tayo po ay patuloy na naghahanda para kapag saka-sakaling dadami ang kaso, lahat po ng hospitals ay naka-alerto para diyan (We are ready, from the beginning, we continue to prepare for when the cases increase, all hospitals are on alert for that),” DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a media forum held in Baguio City.
In a mix of English and Filipino, Vergeire also explained that “cases would always happen” and that the Philippines will not see “zero at this point.”
However, she pointed out that the most important consideration amid an expected increase in Covid-19 cases is the readiness of the country’s healthcare system in responding to those who will contract the virus.
Vergeire explained hospitals in various parts of the country are also practicing the “Accordion Principle” which enables them to make the necessary adjustments such as putting up additional beds for patients should there be drastic increases in admission cases.
“Meron na din tayong mga available na gamot, mga antivirals para kung sakali, meron tayong pang-pigil ng progression para sa severe at critical na forms of Covid-19 (We also have available drugs, antivirals just in case, which we can use to prevent the progression for severe and critical forms of Covid-19),” she added.
Vergeire noted that having almost 94 of the country’s population fully vaccinated also serves as a protective measure if there would be a surge in Covid-19 cases.
“Isa talaga iyan sa nagbibigay ng protection sa ating population pero hindi natatapos diyan, kailangan lahat magpa-booster shots para mas tumaas ang protection ng ating mga sarili pati ng ating pamilya (That is really one of the things that provides protection to our population but it doesn't end there, everyone needs to get booster shots to increase the protection for ourselves and our family),” she added.