MANILA – The sudden increase in confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid19) cases in the Philippines no longer came as a surprise, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Palace already expects the continuing rise in Covid-19 infections in the country, considering that there is still no vaccine or drug to treat people infected with the new coronavirus.
“Hindi na po nakakapagtaka ‘yung pagtaas ng kaso ng Covid habang wala pa pong bakuna, habang wala pa pong gamot (The spike in Covid-19 cases is no longer surprising because there is still no vaccine or drug against the disease),” Roque said in a virtual presser aired on state-run PTV-4.
As of Tuesday, the Philippines has logged 47,873 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 12,386 recoveries and 1,309 deaths.
The Philippines is now the second country in Southeast Asia with highest Covid-19 cases after it surpassed Singapore’s coronavirus count on Monday. Indonesia continues to top the list of countries in the region with over 60,000 confirmed Covid-19 cases.
Roque allayed public fears, saying that the rising number of Covid-19 infections in the country should not be a cause for alarm.
“Sa akin po, wala naman pong dahilan para mabahala (For me, there is no reason to be worried),” he said.
On July 1, Roque was ecstatic over the country’s “small victory” after the University of the Philippines (UP) researchers’ prediction of 40,000 Covid-19 cases in the Philippines by June 30 was not realized.
On June 30, around 37,514 Covid-19 infections have been recorded in the country.
Roque on July 2 acknowledged that the country is still facing a “big problem” due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Still winning the battle
In his latest remarks, Roque believed that the Philippines is “still winning” in its fight against Covid-19.
“I will always say, we are winning against Covid-19,” Roque said.
Roque said the measures imposed against Covid-19 remain successful because the number of people dying and acquiring Covid-19 continues to decline.
“Habang hindi po namamatay ang tao, habang mayroon pa tayong kapasidad na mag-bigay ng medical na lunas sa mga nagkakasakit, hindi ko po matatanggap na tayo po ay hindi nananalo dito sa sakit na ito (I will not accept that we are not winning against this disease, as long as only few people are dying and we have the capacity to provide medical care),” he said.
Roque said he respects the opinion of other people who think the government’s efforts are ineffective to arrest the further spread of Covid-19.
“Kung sa tingin po ninyo talaga na tayo ay hindi nagwawagi, nasa inyo na po ‘yun (If you think we are not winning, that’s up to you),” he said.
Bigger responsibility on public
Amid the continuing battle against Covid-19, Roque said Filipinos now have the “bigger responsibility” to contain Covid-19.
He said the fight against the novel coronavirus would only be successful, if people continue to heed government’s call to observe strict physical distancing, use of face masks and regular handwashing.
“Sa ating bagong istratehiya ay binibigyan din natin ng mas malaking responsibilidad na ang mga indibidwal. Nasa kamay niyo na po ang mangyayari sa inyong kalusugan (Our new strategy is to give people bigger responsibility [in fighting Covid-19]. The status of our health now lies in your hands),” Roque said.
Roque also advised the public to avoid mass gatherings even after the government relaxed its health and quarantine protocols.
He reiterated his warning that the disease would spread faster in the event that people become complacent and ignore the call to avoid large crowds.
“Hinihingi lang po natin ang kooperasyon ng lahat (We are just asking for the cooperation of everyone),” Roque said.