(PNA photo by Joey Razon)
MANILA – The Philippines is seeing some signs of Covid-19 endemicity despite the new threat posed by the recombinant variant Omicron XE, according to an infectious disease expert on Wednesday.
In a televised public briefing, Department of Health – Technical Advisory Group member Dr. Edsel Salvaña said endemicity is a gradual process a country goes through.
“Nakikita na naman natin ang signs ng endemicity dito – na hindi nape-pressure ang health system, manageable na, meron tayong mga lunas para dito (We can see the signs of endemicity here – the health system is not pressured, [admissions are] manageable, we have cure [for cases]) and we know how to prevent [cases] it with masks and vaccines. In a way, it’s becoming endemic,” Salvaña said.
Daily coronavirus cases remain low, a step forward toward endemicity, he added. However, the public has to remain vigilant in utilizing safeguards like the minimum health protocols to avoid possible surge in infections.
Health experts said endemic phase means that the pandemic will not end with the virus disappearing. Even as the virus continues to circulate, enough people will gain protection from vaccination and from natural infection, resulting in less transmission and less Covid-19-related hospitalization and death.
In his presentation to President Rodrigo Duterte Tuesday night, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the country logged only 2,548 cases for the period of March 30 to April 5 – lower than last week’s tally at 2,643.
The country’s average cases per day is 364 per day with only one case added to the severe and critical cases count.
The case fatality rate remains low at 1.61 percent while the recovery rate is high at 97.47 percent.
The positivity rate is also low at 1.8 percent out of the seven-day moving average testing output of 20,990.
Duque added that the healthcare utilization rate remains low with only 17.7 percent of non-intensive care unit (ICU) and 15.6 percent of ICU beds used.
Out of the 6,327 total admissions, only 785 or 12.4 percent are classified as severe and critical. (PNA)
