CORONAVIRUS disease (COVID-19) cases in the country may surge by 25,000 to 60,000 per day in mid-May this year due to increased mobility during the Lenten break, the campaign period and the upcoming May 9 elections, a medical consultant of the National Task Force against COVID-19 projected yesterday.
Dr. Ted Herbosa, in an interview with radio DzBB, said the projection of the Department of Health (DOH) is higher than the 35,000 cases during the peak of the Omicron variant surge from January to February.
“Pati ang DOH nagsabi pwede tayong umabot ng 25,000 hanggang 60,000 sa isang araw (Even the DOH said we can go up to 25,000 to 60,000 un one day),” Herbosa said as he re-emphasized the importance of being vaccinated and getting one’s booster shot as well as the continued observance of health protocols, especially the wearing of face mask.
Herbosa reminded the public that the incubation period for COVID-19 usually takes two weeks and that the Omicron subvariant XE is 10 times more contagious than the Omicron variant.
The DOH has said that the Omicron XE has not yet reached the country.
Last week, the health department said a possible spike in COVID cases is likely to happen by mid-May after its data on compliance to minimum public health standards (MPHS) showed a decline to 12 percent in Metro Manila and seven percent nationwide in March and April.
The DOH said a 20 percent decrease in MPHS compliance could lead to 34,788 active cases in mid-May, while a 30 percent drop could lead to over 300,000 cases nationwide.
It added that in NCR, new active cases could be between 25,000 to 60,000 per day in case of a 50 percent decrease in MPHS compliance.
Herbosa urged the public to continue wearing face masks, which he said has been effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19.
He likewise appealed the people to be vaccinated and get boosted to prevent them from being infected with severe to critical COVID-19.
