PENDING the designation of a new health secretary, the Department of Health (DOH) yesterday gave the assurance that policies and protocols on coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which were implemented by the past administration, will remain in effect.
The DOH said nothing has changed yet as far as the established COVID response policies are concerned.
“Our current pandemic response protocols continue to be implemented,” the DOH said in a brief statement.
The term of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III ended on June 30, simultaneous with that of President Duterte.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has yet to appoint a new health chief.
“Everything is status quo until (we have) new directives from our new President come in,” the DOH said.
The health department said the status quo extends to programs not related to COVID-19 “continue through senior DOH officials supervising specific bureaus, offices, and units.”
The number of new COVID-19 cases continue to rise, especially in Metro Manila. Last Friday, the DOH said “88% of provinces, HUCs, and ICCs across all island groups showing positive growth in cases.”
It has said the average daily reported cases have gone up to 914 for the period of June 25 to July 1, from 599 for the period of June 18 to 24.
“National case trend show continuous increase with seven-day average cases higher by 53% from the previous week,” said the DOH.
In particular, the health department flagged 57 areas in different parts of the country outside the National Capital Region (NCR) after recording positive one-week and two-week growth rates.
These include 32 Luzon areas, 14 Visayas areas, and 11 Mindanao areas that showed positive growth in cases in the recent one and two weeks.
Earlier, the DOH said cases may surge from 848 (June 26) to as high as 22,187 by July 31 depending on the public’s adherence to the minimum health protocols.
By the middle of July, the DOH also said, daily cases may reach 5,362 if there is a sustained decline in health protocol compliance.
The DOH said it is still focused on increasing the COVID-19 vaccine coverage in the country, including improving both the primary series and booster shots for eligible individuals.
As of July 1, there were about 70.87 million fully vaccinated individuals, with only 15 million having received booster shots.
