THE Department of Health (DOH) believes the Philippines is now more capable of handling the possibility of having more lineages of Sars-CoV-2, which causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), after withstanding the entry and surge of three variants of concern (VOCs).
In a virtual press briefing Friday, October 29, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they believe that the government can better handle newer variants of coronavirus.
“Based from our experience, I think we are more capable (of handling),” said Vergeire.
She noted how the country was able to emerge from the entry of the Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants.
“We learned a lot, especially with the Delta variant, which is said to be more transmissible by that much,” said Vergeire.
She also noted how the country was able to recover from the three surges in Covid-19 cases both in 2020 and this year.
“When cases surged in July-August 2020, we learned the need for a One Hospital Command. When the surge in March-April came, we learned the need for biosurveillance,” noted Vergeire.
But she still stressed that no country can ever be prepared for a novel virus and its possible mutations.
“How can you be prepared when science and evidences are continuously evolving? No one can ever be prepared for any type of variant,” she said.
Data from the DOH showed that as of October 24, there were already 4,811 Delta variant cases, 3,479 Beta variant cases, and 3,042 Alpha variant cases in the country. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)
Philippines ‘more capable’ of handling Covid-19 variants
Source: Sonstar
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