Health protocols remain effective despite rise in Covid-19 cases—DOH


There is no need to make changes in the current health protocols as these are still effective despite rising numbers of Covid-19 cases in the country, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

The current health protocols are based on scientific evidence, said DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire during a press briefing on Tuesday, April 18.

“Wala tayong babaguhin. Pareho pa rin po ang siyensya  ukol sa isolation and quarantine. Kung ano man ang mga ebidensya natin dati, it is still effective at iyon po ang ating susundan (We are not going to change anything. The science behind isolation and quarantine is still the same. Whatever evidence we had before, it is still effective and that is what we will follow),” said Vergeire.

“Our current protocols for Covid-19 isolation and quarantine and even testing ay pareho pa rin, hindi mababago kahit tumataas ang kaso dahil ito ay subok na ito, naging epektibo simula’t sapul nung nag issue tayo nito (are still the same,  there will be no changes even if  cases increase because these have been tested and effective since these were issued),” she added.

Current protocols state that asymptomatic close contacts who have been vaccinated with at least primary series are not required to undergo quarantine. Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated asymptomatic individuals shall undergo quarantine for 14 days, said Vergeire.

All confirmed cases who are asymptomatic or with mild symptoms, and who have been vaccinated with at least primary series, must undergo isolation for seven days. All confirmed cases who are asymptomatic or with mild symptoms, who are partially vaccinated or unvaccinated, need to isolate for 10 days, said Vergeire.

Face mask

The DOH also reiterated its position that at this point in time, it is not yet keen on recommending the imposition of the mandatory wearing of face masks.

“Hindi po tayo ngayon nagko-consider na ibalik po ang masking mandate (As of now, we are not not considering bringing back the masking mandate),” said Vergeire.

The public is reminded to always assess their personal risk, especially senior citizens, those with comorbidities, students, in places with poor ventilation, and in crowded areas.

At present, the government is allowing the voluntary wearing of face masks in indoor and outdoor settings.

PH Covid-19 situation

Most areas in the country “show increasing case trend, including NCR (National Capital Region) which exhibits continued upward case trend. Mindanao shows plateauing trend,” the DOH said in its latest report.

“Nationally, while cases are on an upward trend again, ICU and severe/critical admissions show signs of decrease in recent few days,” the DOH added.

The country’s positivity rate or the percentage of individuals who tested positive for Covid-19 also increased to 7.6 percent from  6.9 percent last week. On the other hand, the average number of daily cases also jumped to  371 cases from 274 cases per day last week, said Vergeire.

The upward movement in the number of cases can be attributed to the increased mobility of people, especially during the recent observance of Holy Week, said Vergeire.

“Tumataas pero hindi naman nagis-spike ng ganun kataas katulad ng mga experience natin in the past years (It is increasing but the spike is not as high as what we have experienced in the past years),” she added.

What is important at this point in time is that the country’s  healthcare utilization remains at a manageable level, said Vergeire.