Campaign sorties, protocol violations contribute to case uptick

MANILA – The slight uptick in Covid-19 cases may have been caused by campaign sorties, increased mobility, and non-compliance to health protocols, a health official said Monday.

Over the weekend, the Department of Health reported that 13 areas outside the National Capital Region logged an increase in Covid-19 cases.

These include Angeles City, Batanes, Butuan City, Catanduanes, Davao City, Eastern Samar, Ilocos Norte, Kalinga, Marinduque, Olongapo City, Quirino, Surigao del Sur, and Tarlac City.

In a Teleradyo Sakto interview, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the recorded increase in Covid-19 cases is not significant as it has not overwhelmed the healthcare system.

“Marami pong pwedeng dahilan ang pagtaas ng kaso, unang-una, syempre, ‘yung ating minimum public health standards. Pagkatapos nakikita natin ‘yung mga crowding talaga (There are many possible causes of the increase in cases, first of all, the [non-compliance to] minimum public health standards. Then, we see the crowding really) because of campaign sorties,” Vergeire said.

The vacation trips during the Holy Week were also part of the contributing factors, she added.

Earlier, OCTA Research Group fellow Dr. Guido David said the case upticks in some areas may be temporary only and not lead to a surge.

David added they could be prevented through observance of proactive and preventive measures by the public.

Vergeire said the local government units of the concerned areas are able to handle the increase in Covid-19 cases.

“Most specifically mas importante po, doon po sa mga pagtaas ng kaso na nakikita natin na bahagya ay hindi po natin nakikitang napupuno ang mga ospital (Most specifically, it is important that the hospitals are not overwhelmed in the places where slight uptick of cases was seen),” she added.