MANILA – For the last few days, those recovering from the Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) have outnumbered the deaths, with the Department of Health (DOH) attributing the improvement to early intervention and the increased monitoring of those with milder symptoms or asymptomatic cases.
During a virtual presser on Friday, Department of Health (DOH) Spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire said early intervention for those with milder symptoms of the disease was achieved through a higher index of suspicion.
“Ibig sabihin, kahit hinihintay pa ang kanilang resulta ng mga test ng pasyente, ginagamot na po ng mga doctor ang probable Covid-19 cases ayon po sa guidelines na nailabas ng PSMID [Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases] (What this means is even though patients are still awaiting the results of their tests, probable Covid-19 cases are being treated based on the guidelines of PSMID),” Vergeire said.
Through early intervention, she said treatments to address the symptoms of Covid-19 are more effective.
She said the increased monitoring of mild or asymptomatic cases who were placed on home quarantine also increased the number of recoveries.
Based on DOH guidelines, she said mild or asymptomatic cases may be brought home even without a negative test result but with strict adherence to home quarantine protocols for 14 days.
“Pagkatapos po nito, kailangan pa rin niya magpa-test gamit ang RT-PCR o yung approved o validated na rapid anti-body test ng (After this, they still have to be tested with the RT-PCR or the approved rapid anti-body test by the) FDA [Food and Drug Administration],” Vergeire said.
Routine vaccination
Meanwhile, she said that vaccination for children against diseases such as measles will continue despite the pandemic to safeguard public health against known diseases.
She said the continued vaccination efforts are in line with Department Order 2020-0150 or the “Interim Guidelines on Immunization Services on the Context of Covid-19 Outbreak” released on March 25.
“Bukas po ang mga health center mula Monday to Friday para magbigay ng routine immunization services sa mga bata (Health centers are open from Monday to Friday to give routine immunization services to children),” Vergeire said.
The order, she said, include the continued vaccination of children 12 months of age or younger against measles or “tigdas.”
She reminded parents who will have their children vaccinated to bring their immunization card, wear face masks, and to practice physical distancing at all times while outside their homes.
As of Friday, the DOH said that the country now has 5,878 Covid-19 cases, with recoveries reaching a total of 487 and deaths at 387.
New cases for the day was at 218, with 52 new recoveries and 25 fatalities.